Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a regenerative peptide that we hypothesized would promote healing of fractured bone. Mice received a bilateral fibular osteotomy and were given i.p. injections of either Tβ4 (6mg/kg) or saline. Calluses from saline- and Tβ4-treated mice were analyzed for: (1) biomechanical properties and (2) composition using micro-computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry. Biomechanical analysis showed that Tβ4-treated calluses had a 41% increase in peak force to failure (p<0.01) and were approximately 25% stiffer (p<0.05) than saline-treated controls. μCT analysis at 21 days post-fracture showed that the fractional volume of new mineralized tissue and new highly mineralized tissue were respectively 18% and 26% greater in calluses from Tβ4-treated mice compared to controls (p<0.01; p<0.05, respectively). Histomorphometry complemented the μCT data; at 21 days post-fracture, Tβ4-treated calluses were almost 23% smaller (p<0.05), had nearly 47% less old cortical bone (p<0.05) and had a 31% increase in new trabecular bone area/total callus area fraction compared with controls (p<0.05). Our finding of enhanced biomechanical properties of fractures in mice treated with Tβ4 provides novel evidence of the therapeutic potential of this peptide for treating bone fractures.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1277-1282 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Orthopaedic Research |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- bone regeneration
- fracture healing
- mice
Cite this
}
Thymosin β4 administration enhances fracture healing in mice. / Brady, Rhys D.; Grills, Brian L.; Schuijers, Johannes A.; Ward, Alex R.; Tonkin, Brett A.; Walsh, Nicole C.; McDonald, Stuart J.
In: Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Vol. 32, No. 10, 01.01.2014, p. 1277-1282.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Thymosin β4 administration enhances fracture healing in mice
AU - Brady, Rhys D.
AU - Grills, Brian L.
AU - Schuijers, Johannes A.
AU - Ward, Alex R.
AU - Tonkin, Brett A.
AU - Walsh, Nicole C.
AU - McDonald, Stuart J.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a regenerative peptide that we hypothesized would promote healing of fractured bone. Mice received a bilateral fibular osteotomy and were given i.p. injections of either Tβ4 (6mg/kg) or saline. Calluses from saline- and Tβ4-treated mice were analyzed for: (1) biomechanical properties and (2) composition using micro-computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry. Biomechanical analysis showed that Tβ4-treated calluses had a 41% increase in peak force to failure (p<0.01) and were approximately 25% stiffer (p<0.05) than saline-treated controls. μCT analysis at 21 days post-fracture showed that the fractional volume of new mineralized tissue and new highly mineralized tissue were respectively 18% and 26% greater in calluses from Tβ4-treated mice compared to controls (p<0.01; p<0.05, respectively). Histomorphometry complemented the μCT data; at 21 days post-fracture, Tβ4-treated calluses were almost 23% smaller (p<0.05), had nearly 47% less old cortical bone (p<0.05) and had a 31% increase in new trabecular bone area/total callus area fraction compared with controls (p<0.05). Our finding of enhanced biomechanical properties of fractures in mice treated with Tβ4 provides novel evidence of the therapeutic potential of this peptide for treating bone fractures.
AB - Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a regenerative peptide that we hypothesized would promote healing of fractured bone. Mice received a bilateral fibular osteotomy and were given i.p. injections of either Tβ4 (6mg/kg) or saline. Calluses from saline- and Tβ4-treated mice were analyzed for: (1) biomechanical properties and (2) composition using micro-computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry. Biomechanical analysis showed that Tβ4-treated calluses had a 41% increase in peak force to failure (p<0.01) and were approximately 25% stiffer (p<0.05) than saline-treated controls. μCT analysis at 21 days post-fracture showed that the fractional volume of new mineralized tissue and new highly mineralized tissue were respectively 18% and 26% greater in calluses from Tβ4-treated mice compared to controls (p<0.01; p<0.05, respectively). Histomorphometry complemented the μCT data; at 21 days post-fracture, Tβ4-treated calluses were almost 23% smaller (p<0.05), had nearly 47% less old cortical bone (p<0.05) and had a 31% increase in new trabecular bone area/total callus area fraction compared with controls (p<0.05). Our finding of enhanced biomechanical properties of fractures in mice treated with Tβ4 provides novel evidence of the therapeutic potential of this peptide for treating bone fractures.
KW - bone regeneration
KW - fracture healing
KW - mice
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84906267882&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jor.22686
DO - 10.1002/jor.22686
M3 - Article
VL - 32
SP - 1277
EP - 1282
JO - Journal of Orthopaedic Research
JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Research
SN - 0736-0266
IS - 10
ER -