The biochemical activity of fracture callus in relation to bone production
Abstract:
Quantitative microchemical study of the tissues comprising fracture callus has been undertaken to correlate the biochemical activity of the bone repair process with its previously established morphological features. Areas of proliferating fibrous tissue, hypertrophic cartilage, new bone and undifferentiated granulation tissue were analyzed for their content of carbohydrate metabolizing and phosphatase enzymes. Fracture callus cartilage is biochemically similar to epiphyseal cartilage. Carbohydrate metabolism provides structural intermediates and energy for bone repair. Inorganic pyrophosphatase removes the inorganic pyrophosphate which accumulates from structural synthesis and prevents its inhibition of new bone calcification. The individual parts of the callus have identical biochemical function regardless of the age or healing time of the fracture callus.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
The Bone Matrix
Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Bone Remodeling and Repair


