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Updated: May 16, 2026
The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing
Published on: August 16, 2018
Excess dietary methionine does not affect fracture healing in mice
Joerg H Holstein1, Julia Schmalenbach, Markus Herrmann
1Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany. joerg.holstein@uks.eu
Background:
An elevated serum concentration of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) has been shown to disturb fracture healing. As the essential amino acid, methionine, is a precursor of homocysteine, we aimed to investigate whether excess methionine intake affects bone repair.
Material/Methods:
We analyzed bone repair in 2 groups of mice. One group was fed a methionine-rich diet (n=13), and the second group received an equicaloric control diet without methionine supplementation (n=12). Using a closed femoral fracture model, bone repair was analyzed by histomorphometry and biomechanical testing at 4 weeks after fracture. Blood was sampled to measure serum concentrations of homocysteine, the bone formation marker osteocalcin, and the bone resorption marker collagen I C-terminal crosslaps
Results:
Serum concentrations of homocysteine were significantly higher in the methionine group than in the control group, while serum markers of bone turnover did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Histomorphometry revealed no significant differences in size and tissue composition of the callus between animals fed the methionine-enriched diet and those receiving the control diet. Accordingly, animals of the 2 groups showed a comparable bending stiffness of the healing bones.
Conclusions:
We conclude that excess methionine intake causes hyperhomocysteinemia, but does not affect fracture healing in mice.
