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Are Bone Turnover Markers Capable of Predicting Callus Consolidation During Bone Healing?

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the ability of the following bone turnover markers to monitor the course of callus consolidation during bone healing: Carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP), skeletal alkaline phosphatase (sALP), and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP). Since interfragmentary movements have been proven to possess the ability to document the progression of bone healing in experimental studies, correlations between bone turnover markers and interfragmentary movements in vivo were investigated. Therefore, two different types of osteosyntheses representing different mechanical situations at the fracture site were compared in an ovine osteotomy model. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and postoperatively in weekly intervals over a nine-week healing period. At the same intervals, interfragmentary movements were measured in all sheep. After nine weeks, animals were sacrificed and the tibiae were evaluated both mechanically and histologically. Wide interindividual ranges were observed for all bone turnover markers. The systemic PICP level did not increase with callus consolidation. The bone-healing model seemed to influence the systemic level of PIIINP and sALP but no general correlation between bone turnover markers and interfragmentary movements could be detected. No differences between the different types of osteosyntheses and thus the different mechanical situations were observed. All analyzed markers failed as general predictors for the course of callus consolidation during bone healing.

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Notes

  1. Landesamt für Arbeitsschutz, Gesundheitsschutz und technische Sicherheit. Berlin: G 0188/99.

  2. PICP: Type I Procollagen Radioimmunoassay Kit, Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finnland; PIIINP: Type III Procollagen Radioimmunoassay Kit, Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finnland; sALP: Tandem®-R Ostase® immunoradiometric Assay, Beckman Coulter Inc.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant of the German Research Foundation (DFG KFO 102/1). The authors would like to thank Dr. W. R. Taylor for evaluating interfragmentary movements and Mr. D. R. Epari for editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité–University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    P. Klein, H. J. Bail, H. Bragulla & G. N. Duda

  2. Radiology, Charité–University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    H. Schell & R. Michel

  3. Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    H. Amthauer

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  1. P. Klein
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  2. H. J. Bail
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  3. H. Schell
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  4. R. Michel
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  7. G. N. Duda
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Correspondence to G. N. Duda.

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Klein, P., Bail, H.J., Schell, H. et al. Are Bone Turnover Markers Capable of Predicting Callus Consolidation During Bone Healing?. Calcif Tissue Int 75, 40–49 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-004-0183-0

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