Objective: To investigate the effect of Jianpi Huoxue Decoction on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the femoral head of chicken with Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head(SONFH)

as well as to explore the mechanism of prevention and treatment for SONFH. Methods: The animal model of SONFH was established with injection of methylprednisolone in chest muscle of chickens. 64 Leghorn chickens were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

lovastatin group and Jianpi Huoxue group

16 in each group. At 8th and 16th weeks

blood samples were obtained to determine the level of serum total cholesterol(CHO)and triglycerid (TG)

then femoral heads of both sides were taken off to observe the histopathological changes with hematoxylin and eosin staining and the expression of VEGF with immunohistochemical method. Results: At 8th and 16th weeks

in model group

relatively typical pathological changes were observed in the femoral head

the ratio of empty lacuna and fat area increased obviously

Compared with normal group

the level of serum CHO and TG increased and the expression of VEGF decreased significantly(P<0.05); Both lovastatin and Jianpi Huoxue Decoction could improve the morphological changes of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis at different levels

increased the expression of VEGF

decreased the level of serum CHO and TG(Compared with model group

P<0.05). Conclusions: Jianpi Huoxue Decoction can up-regulate the expression of VEGF

this may be one of the mechanisms for improvement in microcirculation in femoral head and the preventive and therapeutic effect for SONFH.