Abstract: Objective The present study was designed to investigate the correlation of transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） protein expression in repairing mandible defects of the rabbits. Methods The animals were divided into 4 groups randomly, each defect of two groups（the groupⅠ,Ⅱ）was grafted with bone morphogenetic protein（BMP） of different concentrations（1 mg·L－1，10 mg·L－1） reconstituted
inpartly demineralized xenogeneic bone（PDXB）. In the group Ⅲ 12 rabbits（24 defects） were grafted with homogeneity bone. In the group Ⅳ 12 rabbits（24 defects） were grafted with PDXB. 16 animals were sacrificed in 2, 4
and 8 weeks after surgery respectively and the specimens were harvested and processed immuno histochemical examinations. Percentage of TGF-β1 and VEGF positive staining area were quantified by image analysis. Results
The level of TGF -β1 and VEGF protein expression was the highest in group Ⅲ , and it is similar with the expression when the concentration of BMP is 10 mg·L－1 combinated with PDXB. Furthermore, there was a close positive correlation between levels of TGF -β1 and VEGF. Conclusion The results showed that BMP reconstituted in PDXB markedly up-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 and VEGF in the grafted area. In our study, the correlation of TGF-β1 and VEGF protein expression was conspicuous, and TGF-β1 could induce VEGF protein
expression.

Key words: partly demineralized xenogeneic bone, bone transplantation, transforming growth factor -β1, vascular endothelial growth factor