OTA 2006 Posters


Scientific Poster #95 Basic Science

Bone Healing and NSAIDS: Their Effect on Endochondral Ossification
Ippokratis Pountos, DO; Elena Jones; Dennis McGonagle, PhD;
Peter V. Giannoudis, MD; (all authors - a-AO Foundation Research Grant)
Academic Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom


Purpose: Bone healing is initiated with the proliferation of progenitor cells followed by endochondral ossification. Several drugs, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have been convicted to interfere with this process. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the direct effect of these drugs on bone healing and consequently on endochondral ossification.

Methods: Cancellous bone samples were obtained intraoperatively from 10 consecutive adult patients suffering from lower extremity fractures requiring surgical intervention. There were 6 males and 4 females. The mean age was 43 years (range, 16 to 81). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated by enzymatic digestion. Cells were cultured in standard tissue culture conditions and freely proliferated until passage (P2). Subsequently, cells were forced to differentiate towards chondrogenic lineage. The drugs Diclophenac and Ketorolac were added in the medium in concentrations similar to the level in human circulation after administration. Comparison was performed with a control group of untreated cells. After 3 weeks (21 days) of culture, the pellets was removed and their content on sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) was measured. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) was also measured throughout the course of differentiation. RT-PCR was performed on Cox-1 and Cox-2 expression of the untreated cell. Finally, the morphologic appearance of the pellets was studied.

Results: A decrease of sGAG content of pellets treated with Diclophenac and Ketorolac by 39% and 51%, respectively, was noted. Diclophenac seems to have a milder effect compared to Ketorolac. PGE-2 production was severely decreased (30-fold) in the pellets treated with both drugs compared with the untreated cells. RT-PCR revealed a threefold increase of Cox-2 expression during the first 3 days of chondrogenic differentiation and a gradual decrease over the following days. Cox-1 was low throughout the chondrogenic differentiation. The morphology of the treated chondrocytes and pellets' size were altered.

Conclusion: The above findings indicate that NSAIDS have a negative effect on the bone healing process, especially on endochondral ossification. The pathway of this remains obscure but the decreased levels of PGE-2, in association with cellular determination to upregulate Cox-2 expression and production of PGE-2, seems to be an important factor.


If noted, the author indicates something of value received. The codes are identified as a-research or institutional support; b-miscellaneous funding; c-royalties; d-stock options; e-consultant or employee; n-no conflicts disclosed, and *disclosure not available at time of printing.
· The FDA has not cleared this drug and/or medical device for the use described in this presentation (i.e., the drug or medical device is being discussed for an "off label" use). · · FDA information not available at time of printing.