Topical application of nerve growth factor in early fracture healing after peripheral nerve injury

Zhao Chong-xi; Ma Jun; He Ning; Chen Zhao-hui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.15.005

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Fracture healing mechanism is complex and affected by many factors, and delayed fracture healing or nonunion often occurs. How to promote fracture healing has become a serious problem. <br> OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of local application of nerve growth factor on early fracture healing after peripheral nerve injury. <br> METHODS:Thirty-six healthy male Wistar rats were selected to establish tibial fracture models, which were randomly divided into four groups, with 18 limbs in each group. Group A: tibial fracture+normal saline injectionvia bilateral gastrocnemius muscles; group B: tibial fracture+nerve injury+normal saline injection; group C: tibial fracture+local injection of nerve growth factor; group D: tibial fracture+nerve injury+local injection of nerve growth factor. Calus metrology results were compared among different groups. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The calus volume was the most in the group B at 4 weeks of intervention, but there were no different among the other three groups (P > 0.05). At 2 weeks of intervention, the bone resorption area was significantly larger in the group B than the group D (P < 0.05), and the osteoclast index was significantly higher in the group A than the group C (P < 0.05); while at 4 weeks of intervention, the mineralized bone trabecular width was significantly lower in the group A than the group C (P < 0.05) as wel as lower in the group C than the group D (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that after peripheral nerve injury, local application of nerve growth factor can enhance the osteogenic ability, effectively inhibit osteoclast activity, and promote the early healing of fracture.