Evaluation of serum osteoblast mitogenic activity in spinal cord and head injury patients with acute heterotopic ossification.
METHODS
This was a blind, prospective study of the effect of sera from patients with spinal cord and head injuries on osteoblast proliferation.


OBJECTIVE
The authors studied whether a humoral factor that stimulates the formation of heterotopic bone is released into the circulation after a neural injury.


BACKGROUND
Other authors have shown that a humoral osteoinductive factor may be released after head and spinal cord injuries.


METHODS
Serum was obtained at certain times throughout the first 12 weeks post-injury and from control subjects. It was incubated with osteoblasts harvested from fetal rats, as well as with fibroblast controls.


RESULTS
There was a significant rise in serum mitogenic activity after injury in both groups. When patients that developed heterotopic ossification were compared to other patients and controls, no significant differences were seen.


CONCLUSIONS
This in vitro study fails to support a humoral mechanism for heterotopic ossification after spinal cord or brain injuries.
Renfree
K J
KJ
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida.
Banovac
K
K
Hornicek
F J
FJ
Lebwohl
N H
NH
Villanueva
P A
PA
Nedd
K J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C063488:OGN protein, human; C512905:Ogn protein, rat