The Experimental Study Of Epimedium And BMP-2 On Rabbits' Radius Fracture Healing

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Epimedium and BMP-2 on rabbits fracture healing. To evaluate the ability of Epimedium on healing fractures, for the purpose of providing the clinical theory of Epimedium.MethodsThirty-six healthy rabbits(weight from 2.5 to 2.5kg) whose left radiuses were cut off 3mm were divided into three groups at random.The blank group were given normal saline by gastric perfusion and injected normal saline in bone fracture. The experimental group were given Epimeedium by gastric perfusion and also injected normal saline. The control group were given normal saline,but injected BMP-2 in bone fracture. After 2,4 and 8 weeks, four rabbits in each group were killed to evaluate whether they have significant differences of bone healing according to general observation, radiograph, bone density test, biomech-anical test and pathological section.Results1. General observation and radiograph:the control and experimental groups are better than the blank group in osteotylus aspect and the repairing of fracture aspect in 2nd and 4th week, but the control group is better than the experimental group. In 8th week, bone remodeling and recanalization of medullary cavity of experimental group is better than the blank group and it is the same as the control group.2. Bone density test:In 2nd and 4th week, the bone density of experimental and control groups are significantly higher than the blank group (P<0.05), while there are no distinct difference between these two groups(P>0.05). In 8th week, The experimental group is superior to the other groups(P<0.05).3. Biomechanical test (in 8th week) show that the experimental group is superior to the blank group(P<0.05) and demonstrate that the maximum bending load of the experimental group is significantly higher than the blank group. The outcome of control group is between the other groups.4. Histology examination indicate that the growth of collagen fiber, chondrocyte, bone trabecula and the bone matrix are earlier in the experimental and control groups compared with the blank group, whereas there is no significant difference between these two groups.Conclusion1. Epimedium and BMP-2 can promote the fracture healing of rabbits.2. The ossification of BMP-2 is notable in early stages.3. Epimedium could hasten the osteotylus and advance cartilaginous tissue to bone matrix for the enchondral formation.