The effects of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on fracture healing in a postmenopausal osteoporotic rat model
Clinics
;
67(9): 1077-1085, Sept. 2012. ilus, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-649389
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures and may impair fracture healing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether alpha-tocopherol can improve the late-phase fracture healing of osteoporotic bones in ovariectomized rats.METHOD:
In total, 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The first group was sham-operated, and the other two groups were ovariectomized. After two months, the right femora of the rats were fractured under anesthesia and internally repaired with K-wires. The sham-operated and ovariectomized control rat groups were administered olive oil (a vehicle), whereas 60 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol was administered via oral gavage to the alpha-tocopherol group for six days per week over the course of 8 weeks. The rats were sacrificed, and the femora were dissected out. Computed tomography scans and X-rays were performed to assess fracture healing and callus staging, followed by the assessment of callus strengths through the biomechanical testing of the bones.RESULTS:
Significantly higher callus volume and callus staging were observed in the ovariectomized control group compared with the sham-operated and alpha-tocopherol groups. The ovariectomized control group also had significantly lower fracture healing scores than the sham-operated group. There were no differences between the alpha-tocopherol and sham-operated groups with respect to the above parameters. The healed femora of the ovariectomized control group demonstrated significantly lower load and strain parameters than the healed femora of the sham-operated group. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation was not able to restore these biomechanical properties.CONCLUSION:
Alpha-tocopherol supplementation appeared to promote bone fracture healing in osteoporotic rats but failed to restore the strength of the fractured bone.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
/
Fracture Healing
/
Alpha-Tocopherol
/
Fractures, Bone
/
Antioxidants
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Clinics
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Malaysia
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre/MY
/
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia/MY
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