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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Establishing a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture Model in Mice
Published on: December 9, 2022
Milk basic protein supplementation enhances fracture healing in mice
Hiroshi Yoneme1, Junko Hatakeyama1, Atsushi Danjo2
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Objectives:
There is an unmet need for agents that can stimulate bone healing. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of basic proteins from milk whey (milk basic protein [MBP]) on fracture healing in mice.
Methods:
Closed tibial transverse fractures were generated in 6-wk-old male C3 H/HeJ mice given either tap water or MBP-supplemented water for 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 d after fracture generation. The tibial tissues were analyzed by radiography, μCT, and a three-point bending test. The expression levels of genes associated with bone metabolism were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
Quantitative μCT analysis showed that MBP-treated fractured tibiae had a larger hard callus in the sectional area and a larger volume compared with fractured tibiae without MBP treatment. The expression levels of genes associated with chondrogenesis and osteogenesis showed greater increases in fractured tibiae with MBP treatment. Significant increases in the callus mechanical properties were found in MBP-treated tibiae.
Conclusions:
MBP supplementation has the potential to improve fracture healing and bone strength in mouse tibiae. MBP could be a potential safe, low-cost, and easily administered nutritional element to prevent secondary fractures in patients with bone fractures.
