Effect of pentoxifylline on healing of segmental bone defects and angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on angiogenesis and the healing of a critical-sized segmental defect of the radius diaphysis in a rat model, using radiological and histological grading systems.


METHODS
The study included 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats (weight: 300±20 g) divided into 4 groups. A critical-sized segmental defect was created in the radius diaphysis in all rats. In Group 1, morcellized iliac crest autografts were used to fill the segmental bone defect. In Group 2, segmental bone defects were filled using morcellized iliac crest autografts, and 25 mg/kg/day PTX was applied intraperitoneally. In Group 3, the segmental bone defects were not filled, and in Group 4 the segmental bone defects were left unfilled, and an intraperitoneal (IP) dose of 25 mg/kg/day PTX was applied. Rats were sacrificed at postoperative Week 8, and defects were evaluated using radiographic, histological and immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
There were significant differences between Group 1 and 2 according to radiological evaluation (p=0.003) and quality of union at the defect site (p=0.01). Union quality was higher in Group 4 than Group 3 (p=0.01). Cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were higher in Group 2 than in Groups 3 and 4.


CONCLUSIONS
According to radiological and histological parameters, PTX appears to improve angiogenesis and healing of segmental cortical bone defects of the radius in a rat model.
Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Antalya, Turkey. gokhancakmak75@gmail.com.
Gökhan
G
Çakmak
Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Antalya, Turkey.
Mehmet Şükrü
MŞ
Şahin
Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Ankara, Turkey.
B Handan
BH
Özdemİr
Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Antalya, Turkey.
Emre
E
Karadenİz
D000818:Animals; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018483:Diaphyses; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011884:Radius; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D010431:Pentoxifylline