Transforming growth factor-β enhances fracture healing in rabbit tibiae

Abstract
The ability of exogenous Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) to stimulate bone formation in fracture healing was investigated. TGF-β was continuously applied in doses of 1 and 10 μg/day for 6 weeks to 2 groups of adult rabbits with unilateral plated midtibial osteotomies. A group receiving solvent without TGF-β served as control. Fracture healing was evaluated by mechanical tests, bone morphometry and bone densitometry. Increased maximal bending strength and callus formation were demonstrated in the groups receiving TGF-β. TGF-β had no effect on bending-stiffness, bone mineral content, cortical thickness or haversian canal diameter. We conclude that local application of exogenous TGF-β may enhance fracture healing in rabbits.