Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits

Abstract Background Both initial mechanical stability and subsequent axial interfragmentary micromotion at fracture ends play crucial roles in fracture healing. However, the conversion timing of variable fixation and its effect on and mechanism of fracture healing remain inadequately explored. Metho...

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Main Authors: Jian Wen, Yu Zeng, Shenghui Su, Meiling Song, Zhe Wang, Xiaofan Chen, Xieping Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s10195-024-00803-0
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author Jian Wen
Yu Zeng
Shenghui Su
Meiling Song
Zhe Wang
Xiaofan Chen
Xieping Dong
author_facet Jian Wen
Yu Zeng
Shenghui Su
Meiling Song
Zhe Wang
Xiaofan Chen
Xieping Dong
author_sort Jian Wen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Both initial mechanical stability and subsequent axial interfragmentary micromotion at fracture ends play crucial roles in fracture healing. However, the conversion timing of variable fixation and its effect on and mechanism of fracture healing remain inadequately explored. Methods A magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plate (MVFP) for femurs was designed, and its conversion timing was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Then, locking plates and MVFPs with and without a magnesium shim were implanted in rabbit femur fracture models. X-ray photography and micro computed tomography (micro-CT) were performed to observe the healing of the fracture. Toluidine blue and Masson’s trichrome staining were performed to observe new bone formation. The torsion test was used to determine the strength of the bone after healing. Finally, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in the three groups. Results The MVFP with sample 3 magnesium shim showed greater axial displacement within 15 days in vitro, and its variable capability was likewise confirmed in vivo. X-ray photography and micro-CT indicated increased callus formation in the variable fixation group. Toluidine blue and Masson’s trichrome staining revealed less callus formation on the rigid fixation side of the locking plate, whereas the variable fixation group presented more callus formation, more symmetrical intraosseous calli, and greater maturity. The torsion test indicated greater torsional resistance of the healed bone in the variable fixation group. RT-PCR and western blotting revealed that the expression levels of BMP2 and OPG increased during early fracture stages but decreased in late fracture stages, whereas RANKL expression showed the opposite trend in the variable fixation group. Conclusions MVFP promoted faster and stronger bone healing in rabbits, potentially by accelerating the expression of BMP2 and modulating the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling axis. This study offers valuable insights for the clinical application of variable fixation technology in bone plates and contributes to the advancement of both internal fixation technology and theory. Level of evidence: level V. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-b64f14caabda4ee099ac2ece5a5bfd562024-11-24T12:38:33ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology1590-99992024-11-0125111910.1186/s10195-024-00803-0Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbitsJian Wen0Yu Zeng1Shenghui Su2Meiling Song3Zhe Wang4Xiaofan Chen5Xieping Dong6JXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeJXHC Key Laboratory of Digital Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeAbstract Background Both initial mechanical stability and subsequent axial interfragmentary micromotion at fracture ends play crucial roles in fracture healing. However, the conversion timing of variable fixation and its effect on and mechanism of fracture healing remain inadequately explored. Methods A magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plate (MVFP) for femurs was designed, and its conversion timing was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Then, locking plates and MVFPs with and without a magnesium shim were implanted in rabbit femur fracture models. X-ray photography and micro computed tomography (micro-CT) were performed to observe the healing of the fracture. Toluidine blue and Masson’s trichrome staining were performed to observe new bone formation. The torsion test was used to determine the strength of the bone after healing. Finally, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in the three groups. Results The MVFP with sample 3 magnesium shim showed greater axial displacement within 15 days in vitro, and its variable capability was likewise confirmed in vivo. X-ray photography and micro-CT indicated increased callus formation in the variable fixation group. Toluidine blue and Masson’s trichrome staining revealed less callus formation on the rigid fixation side of the locking plate, whereas the variable fixation group presented more callus formation, more symmetrical intraosseous calli, and greater maturity. The torsion test indicated greater torsional resistance of the healed bone in the variable fixation group. RT-PCR and western blotting revealed that the expression levels of BMP2 and OPG increased during early fracture stages but decreased in late fracture stages, whereas RANKL expression showed the opposite trend in the variable fixation group. Conclusions MVFP promoted faster and stronger bone healing in rabbits, potentially by accelerating the expression of BMP2 and modulating the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling axis. This study offers valuable insights for the clinical application of variable fixation technology in bone plates and contributes to the advancement of both internal fixation technology and theory. Level of evidence: level V. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s10195-024-00803-0PlateMagnesiumVariable fixationAxial micromotionOsteogenesisFemur fracture
spellingShingle Jian Wen
Yu Zeng
Shenghui Su
Meiling Song
Zhe Wang
Xiaofan Chen
Xieping Dong
Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Plate
Magnesium
Variable fixation
Axial micromotion
Osteogenesis
Femur fracture
title Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
title_full Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
title_fullStr Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
title_full_unstemmed Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
title_short Magnesium degradation-induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
title_sort magnesium degradation induced variable fixation plates promote bone healing in rabbits
topic Plate
Magnesium
Variable fixation
Axial micromotion
Osteogenesis
Femur fracture
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s10195-024-00803-0
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AT meilingsong magnesiumdegradationinducedvariablefixationplatespromotebonehealinginrabbits
AT zhewang magnesiumdegradationinducedvariablefixationplatespromotebonehealinginrabbits
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