Local ZnCl2 accelerates fracture healing. Issue 6 (26th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wey, Aaron; Cunningham, Catherine; Hreha, Jeremy; Breitbart, Eric; Cottrell, Jessica; Ippolito, Joseph; Clark, Devin; Lin, Hsuan‐Ni; Benevenia, Joseph; O'Connor, J. Patrick; Lin, Sheldon S.; Paglia, David N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthopaedic research. Volume 32:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 834
• Page End: 841
• Publication Date: 2014-02-26
• Subjects: Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.22593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-0266

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="jor22593-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>This study evaluated the effect of local zinc chloride (ZnCl<sub>2</sub>), an insulin mimetic agent, upon the early and late parameters of fracture healing in rats using a standard femur fracture model. Mechanical testing, radiographic scoring, histomorphometry, qualitative histological scoring, PCNA immunohistochemistry, and local growth factor analysis were performed. Fractures treated with local ZnCl<sub>2</sub> possessed significantly increased mechanical properties compared to controls at 4 weeks post fracture. The radiographic scoring analysis showed increased cortical bridging at 4 weeks in the 1.0 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0015) and 3.0 (<italic>p</italic> < 0.0001) mg/kg ZnCl<sub>2</sub> treated groups. Histomorphometry of the fracture callus at day 7 showed 177% increase (<italic>p</italic> = 0.036) in percent cartilage and 133% increase (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002) in percent mineralized tissue with local ZnCl<sub>2</sub> treatment compared to controls. Qualitative histological scoring showed a 2.1× higher value at day 7 in the ZnCl<sub>2</sub> treated group compared to control (<italic>p</italic> = 0.004). Cell proliferation and growth factors, VEGF and IGF‐I, within fracture calluses treated with local ZnCl<sub>2</sub> were increased at day 7. The results suggest local administration of ZnCl<sub>2</sub> increases cell proliferation, causing increased growth factor production which yields improved chondrogenesis and endochondral ossification. Ultimately, these events lead to accelerated fracture healing as early as 4 weeks post fracture. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:834–841, 2014.</p> </sec> </abstract>