Effect of 25-OH-vitamin D on fracture healing in elderly rats

✍ Scribed by A. D. Delgado-Martínez; M. E. Martínez; M. T. Carrascal; M. Rodríguez-Avial; L. Munuera

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 386 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0736-0266
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.1100160604

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

To investigate the effect of 25‐OH‐vitamin D supplements (calcidiol) on fracture healing in the elderly, an experimental model with 15 18‐month‐old female Wistar rats was designed. An experimental fracture in the middle third of both femora of each rat was made. Then the rats were randomly assigned to two groups: one group was subcutaneously treated with 25‐OH‐vitamin D during all healing processes, and the other group (the control group) was not. After 5 weeks of healing, the animals were killed and both femora were extracted. Blood samples were collected before fracture and at death to determine the levels of 25‐OH‐vitamin D. All bones that were extracted were subjected to a torsion test to assess healing; a significantly greater maximum shear force before failure was supported in the treated group (p < 0.01). Moreover, a positive correlation (p < 0.01; r = 0.55) was found between blood levels of 25‐OH‐vitamin D at death and the mechanical strength of the callus. Thus, the administration of 25‐OH‐vitamin D after the experimental fracture significantly improved the mechanical strength of the fractured bone. If similar results are found in the human, then treatment with 25‐OH‐vitamin D after the occurrence of a fracture would be a good way to improve fracture healing in the elderly.