Objective To evaluate the effects of Wnt/β-catenin signals on the callus modelling and the biomechanical properties of the fractured tibia in mice. Methods Col2al-ICAT transgenic mice were used and ICAT transgene could specifically expressed in chondrocytes and served as a competitive inhibitor to block Wnt/β-catenin signals. 8-week-old Col2al-ICAT mice and WT littermates were used in each group and a transverse osteotomy was performed at the middle of the tibia. Fractured bones were stabilized by inserting the inner pin in the cavity. Roentgenography, histology observation and four point bending test were used to compare the callus modelling and biomechanical properties of fractured tibia between two groups 5 weeks after surgery. Results The roentgenograph revealed that the fracture repair were completed in the WT mice while the fracture line was still visible in the Col2al-ICAT mice. Histology sections showed that there were thicker cortical bone and less woven bone in WT mice than in Col2al-ICAT transgenic mice. Four-point bending test showed that the maximum breaking load of fractured tibia in WT mice was significantly higher than in Col2al-ICAT transgenic mice. Conclusion The block of Wnt/β-catenin signals could delayed the callus modelling and then the recovery of the biomechanic properties of fractured bone.
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DU Ke-wei, TANG Ting-ting, HUANG Yan, XUE Wen-dong. Effects of Wnt/β-catenin signals on the callus modelling and the biomechanical properties of the fractured tibia in mice[J]. Journal of medical biomechanics,2009,24(2):134-137