Abstract:

BACKGROUND: As a new self-synthetized medical orthopedic fixation material, micron traditional Chinese medicine functional lining material can promote the secretion of alkaline phosphatase and callus formation, decrease serum calcium level, as well as increase serum phosphorus level and calcium-phosphorus product.
OBJECTIVE: To further verify the therapeutic effect of micron traditional Chinese medicine functional lining material on fracture healing.
METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were selected to prepare models of right radial fracture, and then were randomly allocated into four groups: rabbits in micron group were treated with micron traditional Chinese medicine functional lining material (micron Panax notoginseng powder mixed with active ingredients of Davallia divaricata and Carthamus tinctoriousplus) plus plaster external fixation; those in traditional Chinese medicine control group treated with ordinary Chinese medicine functional material plus plaster external fixation; those in lining material control group treated with ordinary lining material (sterile degreasing cotton) plus plaster external fixation; those in model control group received no treatment. The whole blood viscosity at high/middle/low shear rates and plasma viscosity were detected at 2, 4 and 6 weeks before and after modeling. Additionally, rabbits in each group were killed at 6 weeks after modeling, and radial samples were removed for histological observation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The whole blood viscosity at high/middle/low shear rates and plasma viscosity in the micron group were all lower than those in the other three groups in the same period, and had significant differences from those in the model control group at 4 and 6 weeks after modeling (P < 0.05 or 0.01). A large number of osteoblasts could be found, woven bone began to form and the bone marrow cavity was recanalized in the micron group; in the traditional Chinese medicine group, woven bone, chondrocytes and endochondral ossification coexisted and there was a connection between calluses inside and outside of the broken end, but the bone marrow cavity was not recanalized. In contrast, neither connection between calluses inside and outside of the broken end, nor recanalized bone marrow cavity appeared in the lining material and model control groups. In conclusion, micron traditional Chinese medicine functional lining material can promote fracture healing by improving microcirculation and accelerating osteoblast proliferation.

Key words: Drugs, Chinese Herbal, fractures, Bone, Tissue Engineering