Dynamic observation of ossification process in a rat femur distraction model by living small animal Micro-CT / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]In order to dynamically observe the ossification process by living small animal Micro-CT in a rat femur distraction osteogenesis (DO) model,the author applied a special designed external fixiator system. [Methods]A femur DO model was made on 12 SD rats.After 7 days of latency,the femurs were distracted at a speed of 0.25 mm every 12 hours for 14 days.At the first day of consolidation period,the steel external fixiators were substituted by radio-transparent polymer splint material made fixiators.At 7 and 21 days of consolidation period,two randomly selected rats were sacrificed for histological examination.The other 8 rats were selected for X-ray and living Micro-CT examination at 0,7,21,35 days of consolidation period.All animals were sacrificed at 35 days of consolidation period,5 for biomechanical test,3 for histological examination.[Results]There was no significant new bone formed in distracted zone at latency and distraction periods.The volume of distracted zone increased little in the following 5 weeks of consolidation period.Bone volume,bone mineral content,bone volume fraction,and the number of trabeculae all increased over the consolidation period,while mineral content of mineralized tissue and thickness of traleculae did not increased until 3 weeks after consolidation began.At final observation (56 days post operation),there still exist un-mineralized cartilage tissues in the central of distracted zone,and the distracted femurs had lower biomechanical property when compared with corresponding normal femurs.[Conclusion]1) Radio-transparent polymer splint is a satisfactory substitute of steel external fixator.2) Micro-CT is a useful tool for dynamical observing and evaluating bone formation status in DO model.3) The increasing of bone volume began at the end of distraction,lasting at least 5 weeks,while the remodeling of new formed bone began 3 weeks after distraction ended.The increasing and remodeling of new formed bone was not concord.This result indicates that,in order to obtain proper results,the corresponding interference should be taken at different time points.