Local injection of TGF-β increases the strength of tibial fractures in the rat

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Abstract
The effect of Transforming Growth Factor B (TGF-β) administered locally around the fracture line of healing rat tibial fractures was investigated after 40 days of healing. TGF-β in a dose of 4 ng or 40 ng was injected every second day during the healing period. The strength, stiffness, energy absorption and deflection of the fractures were measured in a materials-testing machine. Compared with placebo-treated animals, the ultimate load of the fractures increased in the group injected with 40 ng of TGF-B, but not in those injected with 4 ng. TGF-β induced a dose-dependent increase in the cross-sectional area of the callus and bone at the fracture line. Consequently, local treatment of fractures with TGF-β increases the callus formation and strength. The energy absorption and deflection capacities of the healing fractures are preserved.