TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA ENHANCES FRACTURE-HEALING IN RABBIT TIBIAE

The ability of exogenous Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) to stimulate bone formation in fracture healing was investigated. TGF-be ta was continuously applied in doses of 1 and 1 0 mug/day for 6 weeks to 2 groups of adult rabbits with unilateral plated midtibial osteotom ies. A group receiving solvent without TGF-beta served as control. Fra cture healing was evaluated by mechanical tests, bone morphometry and bone densitometry. Increased maximal bending strength and callus forma tion were demonstrated in the groups receiving TGF-beta. TGF-beta had no effect on bending-stiffness, bone mineral content, cortical thickne ss or haversian canal diameter. We conclude that local application of exogenous TGF-beta may enhance fracture healing in rabbits.