title: Effect of alpha-tocopherol on bone formation during distraction osteogenesis: a rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha-tocopherol on distraction osteogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Right tibias of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were distracted at a rate of 0.5 mm/day for 20 days with a circular external fixator. Experimental group rabbits (n = 15) were administered i.m. 20 mg/kg/day alpha-tocopherol for 30 days. Radiographic examinations were performed at the 20th, 30th and 40th days. Bone scintigraphy was performed at the 5th and 20th days. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured at the 5th and 30th days. All animals were sacrificed and the right tibias of all animals were harvested for histopathologic examination at the 40th day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiologic scores were statistically similar at the 20th day. However, the experimental group demonstrated higher radiologic scores at the 30th and 40th days. A scintigraphic baseline study at the 5th day of the study showed statistically similar osteoblastic activities in both groups. However, at the 20th day, osteoblastic activity was significantly higher in the experimental group. Serum TAC values were also significantly higher in the experimental group at the 30th day. At necropsy, histopathologic examination revealed statistically significantly higher scores in the experimental group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show that alpha-tocopherol has beneficial effects on new bone formation during distraction osteogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurklu
authors.forename: Cemil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Ozkan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Yuksel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yurttas
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karacalioglu
authors.forename: Muhittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serdar
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deveci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001706:Biopsy; D016267:External Fixators; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol