Back to Search Start Over

Radiographic, Biomechanical and Histological Characterization of Femoral Fracture Healing in Aged CD-1 Mice

Authors :
Maximilian M. Menger
Ruben Manuschewski
Sabrina Ehnert
Mika F. Rollmann
Tanja C. Maisenbacher
Anne L. Tobias
Michael D. Menger
Matthias W. Laschke
Tina Histing
Source :
Bioengineering, Vol 10, Iss 2, p 275 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

With a gradually increasing elderly population, the treatment of geriatric patients represents a major challenge for trauma and reconstructive surgery. Although, it is well established that aging affects bone metabolism, it is still controversial if aging impairs bone healing. Accordingly, we investigated fracture healing in young adult (3–4 months) and aged (16–18 months) CD-1 mice using a stable closed femoral fracture model. Bone healing was analyzed by radiographic, biomechanical and histological analysis at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after fracture. Our results demonstrated an increased callus diameter to femoral diameter ratio in aged animals at later time points of fracture healing when compared to young adult mice. Moreover, our biomechanical analysis revealed a significantly decreased bending stiffness at 3 and 4 weeks after fracture in aged animals. In contrast, at 5 weeks after fracture, the analysis showed no significant difference in bending stiffness between the two study groups. Additional histological analysis showed a delayed endochondral ossification in aged animals as well as a higher amounts of fibrous tissue at early healing time points. These findings indicate a delayed process of callus remodeling in aged CD-1 mice, resulting in a delayed fracture healing when compared to young adult animals. However, the overall healing capacity of the fractured femora was not affected by aging.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23065354
Volume :
10
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Bioengineering
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8d1745e44f24fec9da74e5718c1ea60
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020275