TNF-α, IL-1β, and oxidative stress during fracture healing with or without ankaferd

Whether ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) has a negative or positive effect on bone union during fracture healing is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum changes of oxidative stress markers, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) during fracture healing process with or without ABS application to bone fracture.

Eight rats were used as a control group (1) that was not subject to fracture. The remaining 48 rats were divided into six groups, 8 rats in each. The femoral shaft fracture was produced by cutting with bone-scissors. One ml of ABS was applied on the fracture region in groups 3 (7th day), 5 (21st day), and 7 (45th day) or saline instead of ABS on the fracture regions in groups 2 (7th day), 4 (21st day), and 6 (45th day). Radiographs and above parameters were examined on post-fracture days 7, 21, and 45.

Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls were measured in high levels in the groups 2 and 4 with respect to control. Their levels did not change statistically in the experimental groups after ABS application. The values of TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated on 7th post-fracture day according to control, but were lower (by 11.86 % and 44.48 %) in the group 3 treated with ABS comparing to group 2. Radiographic examination indicated a low callus formation on fracture union in the femoral fractures of groups 3 and 5 treated with ABS.

The present findings may suggest that ABS application seems to be ineffective on fracture union in early fracture healing period, except for bleeding control (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 26).