【Animal modeling】-Analysis of the effects of calcium and vitamin D dietary supplementation on osteoclast activity and bone mass in a rat ankle fracture trauma model

  Objective To investigate the effect of calcium and vitamin D (Ca/VitD) diet on osteoclast activity and bone mass in a rat ankle fracture trauma model.

  Methods 8-week-old male SD rats were selected as the research objects, and the rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (C), Ca/VitD deficient diet group (D) and Ca/VitD supplemented diet group (S). Fracture trauma model. Whether Ca/VitD deficient diet impairs bone repair was investigated by rat serum analysis, microcomputed tomography (μCT) analysis, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis, and gene expression analysis of rat wound callus. It was also investigated whether dietary Ca/VitD supplementation from the time point of trauma enhances fracture healing.

  Results Compared with group C, group D had a significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) (P<0.05), a decrease in bone mass (P<0.001), and an increase in the amount of fibrous tissue (P<0.05). In the fractured callus, the number and surface of osteoclasts in group D were significantly increased (P < 0.01). When supplemented with Ca/VitD after ankle fracture, compared with group D, the bone mass in the callus of group S was significantly increased (P<0.001), while the fibrous tissue was decreased (P<0.05). In addition, the S group showed a higher fracture union rate (P<0.05). The level of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) of type I collagen was decreased, and the expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and X-linked phosphate-regulated gene (Phex) were increased in group S (P<0.05). At the same time, the serum levels of iFGF23 and cFGF23 in group S were significantly increased, and compared with groups D and C, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). but="" p="">0.05).

  Conclusion Ca/VitD supplementation after hand and foot trauma can reduce osteoclast activity and increase bone mass and improve bone repair in Ca/VitD deficient diet. It has guiding significance for clinical postoperative care.