Alloxan-induced diabetes delays repair in a rat model of closed tibial fracture

Braz J Med Biol Res, May 2008, Volume 41(5) 373-379

Alloxan-induced diabetes delays repair in a rat model of closed tibial fracture

S.F. Diniz¹, F.P.L.G. Amorim¹, F.F. Cavalcante-Neto¹, A.L. Bocca², A.C. Batista³, G.E.P.M. Simm⁴ and T.A. Silva⁴

¹Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, ²Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil

³Departamento de Estomatologia (Patologia Oral), Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil

⁴Departamento de Clínica, Patologia e Cirurgia Odontológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

References

^{Correspondence and Footnotes}

Abstract

A closed fracture was performed on the left tibia of 3-month-old Wistar rats weighing 250 to 350 g that were either healthy (N = 24) or made diabetic with alloxan (N = 24) to investigate the effect of alloxan-induced diabetes on the course of bone fracture healing. Histomorphometric analysis of the fracture site was performed at 7, 14, 25, and 35 days. After 7 days, diabetic rats had significantly less cartilage (P = 0.045) and greater fibrous connective (P = 0.006) tissue formation at the fracture site compared to controls. In contrast, marked callus formation was seen in diabetic rats with significant osteogenesis (P = 0.011, P = 0.010, P = 0.010, respectively, for 14, 25, and 35 days) and chondrogenesis (P = 0.028, P = 0.033, P = 0.019) compared to controls. Radiographic analysis revealed a displaced fracture with poor bone fragment alignment and delayed consolidation at these times in the diabetic group. The levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in diabetic rats at 25 days (P = 0.009). These results suggest that the initial excessive formation of fibrous connective tissue associated with delay in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis may not provide suitable stability of the fractured site, contributing to the inappropriate alignment of fragments and an increase in the volume of callus in later stages of repair. The resulting displaced fracture in diabetic rats requires long periods for remodeling and complete bone consolidation.

Key words: Alloxan; Diabetes; Fracture repair; Closed fracture

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids as a result of absolute or moderate insulin deficiency (1). Diabetes affects some 16 million Americans, approximately 2-4% of the population, and is responsible for over 40,000 deaths and 20,000 amputations annually in the United States. In Brazil, the prevalence of diabetes is similar, with the estimated number of affected adults expected to rise to 11.6 million by the year 2025. It is notable that 40% of carriers are unaware that they have the disease (2-4).

Diabetes has been associated with an extensive list of complications involving various tissues in the body, including bone (1). Previous studies have shown a relationship between diabetes and delayed fracture healing and bone defects in human and animal models (5-13). Fracture healing is a complex process, involving a cascade of synthesis and activation of matrix- and cell-derived molecules that coordinate the restoration of mechanical stability at the fracture site. Immediately after fracture, a hematoma forms to fill the fracture gap and the inflammatory response is activated in the area surrounding the bone injury (14-17). The initial hematoma after injury is important as a source of molecules that stimulate inflammation and proliferation. Afterwards, the hematoma organizes itself contributing to remodeling of the fractured ends of the bone. This fusiform and predominantly uncalcified tissue, called soft tissue callus or procallus, provides some anchorage between the ends of the fractured bone, but offers no structural rigidity for weight bearing. Subsequently, activated mesenchymal cells in the soft tissue and bone surrounding the fracture line also differentiate into chondroblasts that produce the fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage. The newly formed cartilage undergoes endochondral ossification. Furthermore, the activated osteoprogenitor cells deposit subperiosteal trabeculae of woven bone. Finally, the process of remodeling, in which relatively disorganized woven bone is gradually replaced by more mature lamellar bone, occurs over a period of weeks. In this manner, the fratured ends are bridged by a bony callus (16,17).

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the greater incidence of delayed healing and non-union of fractures in diabetes. These include reduction in blood supply and angiogenesis (1), a more severe inflammatory response (18,19), a decrease in collagen synthesis (6,20, 21), a disturbance in the mineralization process (9,11,12), and an imbalance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone deposition by osteoblasts (22-24). Another contributing factor may be the advanced glycation end products, present in high levels in diabetic individuals, that amplify inflammatory events (25) and delay wound healing (26). In general, these mechanisms would be expected to affect all stages of fracture healing.

Fracture healing and bone defects have been extensively studied in a variety of diabetes models including spontaneously diabetic BB/O(ttawa)K(arlsburg) rats (9-12), BB Wistar rats (8) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (6,7). Alloxan exerts direct cytotoxic action on the pancreatic islets, thereby eliminating the production of insulin and causing severe hyperglycemia in the animal. This situation is somewhat analogous to type 1 diabetes in humans (27,28).

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of alloxan-induced diabetes on the course of fracture healing. We observed an initial excessive formation of fibrous connective tissue associated with a delay in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.

Material and Methods

Animals

A total of 48 skeletally mature, male, 3-month-old Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) weighing 250 to 350 g were used in this study. Rats were randomly assigned to the diabetic or control group. The Animal Care Committee at the University of Brasília approved all procedures performed.

Alloxan-induced diabetes model

Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg monohydrated alloxan (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) dissolved in sterile 0.9% saline. Rats were made to fast prior to alloxan administration. After 12 h, a 10% glucose solution was offered to the animals to prevent hypoglycemia (27,28). After 72 h, blood samples were collected from the tail vein of the animals for evaluation of plasma glucose levels by the glucose-oxidase enzymatic method using Accu-Chek Advantage (Boehringer, Germany). Animals presenting glucose levels above 200 mg/dL were included in the diabetic group (N = 24). The animals presenting reversion of the signs of diabetes, i.e., those presenting glucose levels below 200 mg/dL, were excluded from this study. The examinations were repeated every 7 days to confirm maintenance of the glucose levels. The pancreas was obtained from control and diabetic animals for routine histopathological analysis.

Tibia fracture and specimen preparation

Using general anesthesia with ketamine (200 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg), closed fracture was inflicted manually on the middle of the left tibia. The traces of all fractures were similar, with no exposure to the outer environment, as previously described (29). Given the need to obtain fractures in as similar a manner as possible to enable comparison during the trial, all fractures were performed by the same investigator.

The control (N = 24) and diabetic (N = 24) groups were sacrificed at 7, 14, 25 and 35 days (N = 6 at each time following the fracture). For the histological studies, the entire tibia was used after disarticulating it from the knee and ankle. The specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde for 24 h, decalcified in 1% nitric acid for 24 h and embedded in paraffin blocks. Approximately thirty 5-µm thick sections were obtained from each paraffin block. Approximately 6 hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections containing the area of the fracture callus were selected from each paraffin block for use in subsequent analyses. Microscopic analysis was performed by two pathologists who were blind to the identity of the specimens.

Histomorphometry

Three representative slides of six animals at each time point were selected for histomorphometric analysis. Measurements of the areas of fibrous connective, cartilaginous and bone tissues at the fracture callus were averaged in six fields selected by systematic sampling in a stepwise manner, moving the microscope stage from left to right and then down and across in order to avoid measuring the same area twice. The area of each tissue at 25X magnification was obtained by drawing boundaries using the software Image J (National Institutes of Health, USA).

Radiographic analysis

Radiographs were used to analyze the gross appearance of the fracture callus and bone remodeling. Radiographic analysis was performed by taking lateral radiographs (Spectro 70X Electronic, Dabi Atlante, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil) at a setting of 0.6 kv for 15 s of both the experimental (N = 6) and control (N = 5) legs at days 14, 21, and 30 after fracture. The radiographs were developed on Kodak 10-41 occlusal size 4 film (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, USA). The bridging of the fracture callus was described by two independent observers who were blinded to the identity of the specimens.

Alkaline phosphatase activity

Blood samples (1 mL each) were taken by intracardiac puncture before sacrifice on days 7, 14, 21, and 30, and stored at -20ºC until analysis. Serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured with a commercially available kit (Labtest Diagnóstica, Lagoa Santa, MG, Brazil). ALP was measured colorimetrically and assayed by the hydrolysis of thymolphthalein monophosphate in alkaline buffer solution at 37ºC. Absorbance of thymolphthalein was determined at 590 nm. Results are reported as units (µmol thymolphthalein released/min) per mL.

Statistical analysis

Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Comparative analysis was performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. All analyses were made using the SPSS 12.0 statistical software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

Blood-glucose levels

Blood-glucose levels were significantly (P < 0.01) higher (3-5 times) in diabetic rats than controls at all times before and after fracture. An increase of glucose levels (1-2 times) was observed after fracture in both groups. Consistent with this, pancreatic islets exposed to alloxan demonstrated disorganization, reduction of size and loss of architecture in comparison with controls (data not shown). Treatment with alloxan did not significantly affect body weight throughout the experimental period (data not shown).

Histological and histomorphometric findings

On day 7, diabetic rats had significantly less bone (15.2 and 7.3% of total callus area for controls and diabetics, respectively; P = 0.068) and cartilage (24.7 and 12.2% of total callus area; P = 0.045), and demonstrated greater fibrous connective tissue formation (31.5 and 55.4% of total callus area; P = 0.006) at the fracture site (Figure 1).

In contrast, marked callus formation was seen after 14 and 25 days, with greater bone formation (26.5 and 52.1% of total callus area, for controls and diabetics, respectively, at 14 days, P = 0.011; 31.9 and 75.2% of total callus area for controls and diabetics, respectively, at 25 days, P = 0.010). Moreover, significantly more cartilage was seen in the diabetic group (30.2 and 51.1% of total callus area for controls and diabetics at 14 days, P = 0.028; 9.1 and 20.9% of total callus area for controls and diabetics at 25 days, P = 0.033). On the other hand, an abrupt decline in fibrous tissue formation was observed in diabetic rats, resulting in a smaller area of fibrous connective tissue in this group (13.8 and 3.3%, and 8.6 and 1.1% of total callus area for controls and diabetics, respectively, at 14, P = 0.011, and 25 days, P = 0.019). At 21 days, the fracture callus was formed mostly by the bone and cartilage in both groups (Figure 1).

After 35 days, diabetic rats still demonstrated extensive cartilage (7.2 and 20.6% of total callus area for control and diabetics, respectively; P = 0.019) and bone formation (54.6 and 77.4% of total callus area; P = 0.010), but no difference in the fibrous connective tissue area (2.1 and 1.96% of total callus area; P = 0.286) was observed in relation to controls (Figure 1).

Despite the differences in the callus area of fibrous connective tissue, cartilage and bone at each time, the callus configuration was observed to be similar in both groups with identical peaks of formation for each tissue occurring at 7 days for fibrous connective tissue, 14 days for cartilage and 35 days for bone (Figure 1).

At day 7, new woven bone, indicative of intramembranous ossification, was observed in controls at the inferior margins of the fracture callus (Figure 2A), whereas mostly fibrous connective tissue was noted at the fracture site of the diabetic rats (Figure 2B). Interestingly, at day 21, the trabecular bone of controls exhibited a greater number of medullary spaces (Figure 2C) than the diabetic group (Figure 2D).

Although alignment of the bone extremities slightly improved when the closed tibia fractures were immobilized in a plaster of Paris cast, similar histologic and histomorphometric results were obtained when comparing each group with or without fracture immobilization (data not shown).

Radiographic findings

To characterize the bridging of the fracture callus, X-rays were performed at days 14, 25, and 35. On day 14, the griding size of the fracture callus was larger in control rats (Figure 3A) compared to diabetic rats (Figure 3B). On day 25, the progressive consolidation of the fracture gap in the diabetic group was not clearly recognizable when compared with the controls. A bone bridge was observed between proximal and distal bone fragments adjacent to the fracture in the control group (Figure 3C). In contrast, a displaced fracture with poor alignment of bone fragments was observed in the diabetic rats (Figure 3D). On day 35, radiographs showed more rapid reconstitution of cortices in controls (Figure 3E, F).

Grossly, no leg length discrepancy or limitation of movement was noted between diabetics and controls at days 14, 25, or 35 after fracture.

Alkaline phosphatase activity

Consistent with increased osteogenesis in diabetic rats from 14 days, the levels of ALP were significantly higher in this group at 14 (P = 0.06) and 25 (P = 0.009) days (Figure 4). Moreover, the serum ALP levels of diabetic rats correlated positively with bone tissue formation (Pearson correlation, R² = 0.526; P < 0.01). The ALP levels of diabetic rats that did not undergo tibia fracture were similar to those of the control group (data not shown).

Figure 1.
Quantitative analysis of fibrous connective tissue (A), cartilage (B) and bone (C) formation at the sites of tibia fracture. Tissue formation 7, 14, 25, and 35 days after tibia fracture was measured with image analysis-assisted histomorphometry of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections as described in Material and Methods. Normal controls (open bars) and alloxan-induced diabetic rats (closed bars). Results are reported as mean ± SD for six specimens per mm². *P < 0.05 compared to control (Mann-Whitney test).

Figure 2.
Hematoxylin and eosin staining of fracture callus for controls [(A) day 7, (C) day 21], and alloxan-induced diabetic rats [(B) day 7, (D) day 21]. Ft = end of fractured tibia; Tb = trabecular bone; Fc = fibrous connective tissue; Ca = cartilaginous tissue. Original magnification = 25X. Bar = 10 µm.

Figure 3.
Lateral radiographs of fractured tibias for controls (A, day 14, C, day 25, E, day 35), and diabetics (B, day 14, D, day 28, E, day 35).

Figure 4.
Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of diabetic and control rats 7, 14, 25, and 35 days after fracture. Serum concentration of ALP was measured colorimetrically as described in Material and Methods. Results are reported as means ± SD in units (µmol thymolphthalein released/min) per mL. *P = 0.009 compared to respective control (Mann-Whitney test).

Discussion

Consistent with previous clinical and experimental data (5-13), we found that diabetes delayed fracture healing in a rat model of closed fracture. This delay was initiated at early stages of healing, demonstrated by the development of abundant soft tissue formation (almost two times greater in diabetic rats than in controls) and a significant deficiency of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the fracture site of the diabetic group. As mechanical stability of the fracture callus was restored through endochondral and intramembranous ossification, we can assume that the initial impairment of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis observed in diabetic rats contributed to the low stability of the fracture site and inappropriate alignment of fragments of this group, as shown by radiographic analysis. Furthermore, the fracture callus in diabetes has decreased mechanical strength, which has been associated with changes in collagen expression (6,20,21), chondrocyte maturation (21) and retarded mineralization (11-12). The disjointing of bone fragments enlarges the volume of the callus by increasing osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in the latter stages. Consequently, long time periods are required for remodeling and complete bone consolidation following delayed union, non-union, or pseudoarthrosis. Taken together, these results suggest that formation of the bony callus in the diabetic group was delayed, but not inhibited. By days 14, 25 and 35, the area of cartilage and bone in the fracture callus was larger in diabetics than in controls. Persistence of a large cartilaginous callus, together with trabecular bone with sparse spacing, suggested delayed healing in diabetics and a less mature fracture callus in these animals.

Consistent with the increase of osteogenesis in the diabetic group, the serum levels of ALP, a marker of bone formation, were also significantly increased in this group. We also found a positive correlation between the levels of ALP in serum with bone formation in diabetic rats. These results may suggest that alloxan-induced diabetes affects the process of matrix formation and mineralization in the bone, as reported in other diabetes models (6-12,21-24).

The effects of alloxan-induced diabetes on bone tissue include decreased trabecular bone volume and cortical width, increased bone collagen glycosylation and decreased rate of bone resorption (30). We observed that alloxan-treated rats showed morphologic alterations in the pancreatic islets (27,28). Controlled insulin therapy may revert the disorders in fracture repair observed in the poorly compensated diabetic metabolic state (8,11,12,21); however, in the usual clinical situation, a diabetic patient with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes treated with insulin may still suffer from an overall poor diabetic metabolic state with an uncontrollable or hardly controllable blood-glucose level and a high and sometimes changing insulin requirement. Thus, glycemic control in humans is pivotal for improving or increasing the speed of the healing process after injury and decreasing the significant morbidity associated with uncontrollable blood-glucose levels during fracture healing.

The present study, to our knowledge, represents the first histomorphometric analysis of the effect of alloxan-induced diabetes on bone fracture healing. Our findings suggest that the diabetic state induced by alloxan delays chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the first stages of fracture healing. As a consequence, there is inappropriate stability of fractured fragments, which contributes to the increase in the volume of callus in later stages and requires long periods of time for remodeling and complete bone consolidation.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Gabriela Mariângela Farias de Oliveira, Édelyn Cristina Nunes Silva and Renata Ribeiro de Souza from the University of Brasília for their helpful technical assistance.

Address for correspondence: T.A. Silva, Departamento de Clínica, Patologia e Cirurgia Odontológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

Received May 24, 2007. Accepted April 14, 2008.

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Correspondence and Footnotes

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  30 Apr 2008
• Date of issue
  May 2008

History

• Received
  24 May 2007
• Accepted
  14 Apr 2008