title: Effects of botulinum toxin A on fracture healing in rats: an experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fracture healing is a complex process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of botulinum toxin (BTX) A on fracture healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following the induction of bilateral standard closed femoral fractures and relative fixation in 18 Wistar albino rats, 8 IU of BTX A were injected into the right femoral region. After 28 days, all of the rats were sacrificed, the diameter of the callus was measured, and fracture healing was assessed by biomechanical and histopathologic evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While an increase in biomechanical and histopathologic healing was noted on the side injected with BTX A, a decrease in callus diameter was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Botulinum toxin A administration increases the healing power in a relatively fixated fracture and decreases the callus diameter, just as if rigid fixation had been performed. The beneficial effect of BTX A on fracture healing might be associated with increased fixation rigidity.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmit Seka State Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Adem
authors: A
authors: Aydin
authors: Kaya
authors: K
authors: Memisoglu
authors: Abdulkadir
authors: A
authors: Cengiz
authors: Halil
authors: H
authors: Atmaca
authors: Bahar
authors: B
authors: Muezzinoglu
authors: Umit Sefa
authors: US
authors: Muezzinoglu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A