Transforming growth factor-beta enhances fracture healing in rabbit tibiae.
The ability of exogenous Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) to stimulate bone formation in fracture healing was investigated. TGF-beta was continuously applied in doses of 1 and 10 micrograms/day for 6 weeks to 2 groups of adult rabbits with unilateral plated mid-tibial osteotomies. A group receiving solvent without TGF-beta served as control. Fracture healing was evaluated by mechanical tests, bone morphometry and bone densitometry. Increased maximal bending strength and callus formation were demonstrated in the groups receiving TGF-beta. TGF-beta had no effect on bending-stiffness, bone mineral content, cortical thickness or haversian canal diameter. We conclude that local application of exogenous TGF-beta may enhance fracture healing in rabbits.
Lind
M
M
Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Schumacker
B
B
Søballe
K
K
Keller
J
J
Melsen
F
F
Bünger
C
C
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta