J Korean Acad Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  1997 Feb;27(1):123-140.

An experimental study of mandibular fracture wound healing in the calcium deficient rat

• Lee SH
• Hwang EH
• Lee SR

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of osteoporosis on fracture wound healing in the calcium defi cient rat. To research the experiment some ten-week old Wistar strain rats with approximately 300 gms weight were selected. Then , the rats were divided into two groups: Normal diet group(rats given a normal diet before and after bone fracture) and Low calcium diet group(rats given a low calcium diet before and after bone fracture). Both groups had been provided wit h each diet for three weeks. When the rats became thirteen weeks old, the mandibular angle of rats in both groups was ar tificially fractured for test. The healing of fracture wounds was reviewed by using soft x-ray radiography and 99m Tc-MDP bone scan and also histopathologic examination. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The radiolucency of the fracture site for the Normal diet group started to decrease from the 14th day since the expe riment was made, while the Low calcium diet group began decrease in the radiolucency from the 21st day of the experiment . The radiolucency for the normal diet group disappeared at the 42nd day, but one for the Low calcium diet group disappe ared at the 56th day of the experiment. 2. The highest uptake rate of (99m)Tc-MDP stood at the 14th day of the experiment in the Normal diet group and the Low calium diet group's maximum rate was recorded at the 21st day of the experiment. These both groups were gradual ly experiencing decrease in the uptake rate as the experiment time was going on. However, the uptake rate in the Low cal ium diet group was lower than one in the Normal diet group. 3. For the Normal diet group, the newly formed trabecular, which were similar to one of the surrounding bone, were seen at the 42nd day of the experiment. On the other hand, the Low claium diet group showed at the 56th day of the experimen t that the osteoporotic findings looked weak, irregular trabecular, and also large bone marrow space were observed clear ly. As a result of the above experiment, it is said that the healing of the fracture can be completed for both groups, t he Normal diet group and the Low calium diet group. However, the amount of the newly formed bone wound in the Low calciu m diet group is rather decreased compared to one in the normal diet group and at the same time the healing of the fractu re is delayed in the Low calcium diet group. Consequently, for the successful healing of fracture in osteoporosis, it is considered that the management of the etiologic factors of osteoporosis must be preceded. the more study of calcium met abolism and functions of osteoblast and osteoclast needs to proceed on.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bone Marrow
Calcium*
Diet
Hand
Mandibular Fractures*
Osteoblasts
Osteoclasts
Osteoporosis
Radiography
Rats*
Wound Healing*
Wounds and Injuries*
Calcium