Deferoxamine Can Speed Femur Fracture Healing
A research paper published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery explored the potential use of a drug called Deferoxamine in the role of fracture healing. Large bones, such as the femur, often take a long time to heal. During this time, people might not be able to return to work, attend school, or help around the house. This might even strain relationships with family members and friends. This study shows that Deferoxamine can help people recover from femur fractures more quickly.
Deferoxamine has been around for years; however, its main role, up until this point, was in the treatment of iron overload. While iron overload can cause people to suffer severe pain in their bones and joints, this application is very different than its proposed role in bone fracture healing. The researchers set up a study to explore this potential use.
Deferoxamine and the Mechanism
There are multiple steps that need to take place in order for a long bone fracture, such as a broken femur, to heal properly. In addition to calcium and vitamin D, which are required for bone mineralization, it is also important for the bone to have an adequate blood supply. In the formation of healing bone, blood vessels are important for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the location of the injury.
Because of this, it is vital to find ways to increase the growth of blood vessels which can speed fracture healing. In addition to its role in iron overload, Deferoxamine has also been shown to increase the formation of blood vessels. Therefore, the researchers came up with the hypothesis that Deferoxamine might have the ability to improve bone formation, increase mineralization, increase bone strength, and increase the rate of union in the fracture healing process.
The Design of the Study
The team of researchers collected about three dozen animals and divided them into separate groups. These animals all suffered a large bone fracture similar to the serious break that occurs in a broken femur. Some of the animals received Deferoxamine as a part of their treatment course. Other animals did not. The goal was to compare the fracture healing that takes place in the control group versus the Deferoxamine group.
The bone fractures were allowed to heal for about seven weeks. After this, the bones were dissected and analyzed, looking for signs of healing. The researchers also tested the strength of the bones after this healing period.
The Results of the Research Study
Ultimately, the researchers found that the animals who received Deferoxamine had significantly more fracture healing than the control group. The union of the fracture was more complete in the treatment group. Specifically, the fracture healing rate was more than three times greater in the Deferoxamine group.
In addition, the strength and resistance of the treatment group were also significantly higher in the control group. This means that the bones in the treatment group were more able to sustain a repeat impact without breaking. All of these metrics demonstrate that Deferoxamine may play an important role in the healing of large bone fractures, including the femur.
Future Directions
This study shows that Deferoxamine might play a role in fracture healing in this animal model. The next step will be to find a way to move this research into human trials. Prior to any drug approval for a new purpose, it is important to have tangible, significant results in human studies. This will help guide doctors in the administration of Deferoxamine in the clinical setting.
Future studies also need to explore the extent to which Deferoxamine increases blood vessel formation. This information will be important in finding an appropriate dose for various bone fracture types. Regardless, the results of this study are important. They provide hope that there might be a way to increase the speed of femur fracture healing.
Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento femur fracture lawyer. Deferoxamine may play a role in the healing of femur fractures. If an individual you care about has been diagnosed with a bone fracture of the femur due to the negligence of another person or entity, please contact me today at (916) 921-6400 or by dialing (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641519/