Hm. Nielsen et al., LOCAL INJECTION OF TGF-BETA INCREASES THE STRENGTH OF TIBIAL FRACTURES IN THE RAT, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica, 65(1), 1994, pp. 37-41
The effect of Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-beta) administered
locally around the fracture line of healing rat tibial fractures was i
nvestigated after 40 days of healing. TGF-beta in a dose of 4 ng or 40
ng was injected every second day during the healing period. The stren
gth, stiffness, energy absorption and deflection of the fractures were
measured in a materials-testing machine. Compared with placebo-treate
d animals, the ultimate load of the fractures increased in the group i
njected with 40 ng of TGF-beta, but not in those injected with 4 ng. T
GF-beta induced a dose-dependent increase in the cross-sectional area
of the callus and bone at the fracture line. Consequently, local treat
ment of fractures with TGF-beta increases the callus formation and str
ength. The energy absorption and deflection capacities of the healing
fractures are preserved.