Velvet antler polypeptides promoted proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors and fracture healing

AIM: To study the effects of velvet antler (VA) total polypeptides (VATP) a nd VA polypeptides, VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C on proliferation of chondrocyte s and osteoblast precusors. METHODS: Chondrocytes (rabbit and human fetus) and osteoblast precusors (chick embryo) were incubated in the culture mediu m containing VATP or VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C. [H-3]TdR incorporation into D NA was measured. Fracture healing-promoting action of VATP was determined i n rats. RESULTS: VATP 50 - 200 mg . L-1 and VAP-B 12.5, 25, and 50 mg . L-1 showed most marked proliferation-promoting activity for rabbit costed chon drocytes and increased incorporation of [H-3]TdR from (73 +/- 9) Bq (contro l group) to (272 +/- 55), (327 +/- 38), and (415 +/- 32) Bq, respectively ( P < 0.01). The activity of VAP-A was weaker than that of VAP-B, and VAP-C h ad no activity. VATP 10 and 20 mg . kg(-1) by local injection into the cros s-section fracture area accelerated healing: of radial fracture. The healin g rate of VATP-treated group tvas higher (75 %) than that of control group (25 %) (P < 0.05). CONCLUTION: VATP accelerated fracture healing by stimula ting proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors.