The effect of teriparatide on fracture union in rats with chronic kidney disease

This study aims to examine the effect of teriparatide on fracture healing in a rat model with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 32 adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Group I (control group, teriparatide -), Group II (CKD +, teriparatide -), Group III (control group, teriparatide +) and Group IV (CKD +, teriparatide +) (n=8 each). To create CKD model, 5/6 nephrectomy was performed in the CKD groups. A proof of CKD in the CKD model was ascertained through BUN and creatinine levels in blood samples. Osteotomy of the femur was performed on all rats at the same time. Fractures were fixed using a K-wire. Eight rats from the control group (Group III) and 8 rats from the CKD group (Group IV) received a daily doses of 20 µg/kg/day teriparatide. Plain radiographic imaging was performed at 4th week. Rats were then sacrificed at the 8th week, and right femurs were removed for histological evaluation. For radiographical analysis, outcome measures such as Allen scoring, callus thickness, and Rust scoring were obtained. The results of radiological analysis showed that teriparatide had no effect on the callus thickness of the control group, while the callus thickness was the least in Group II (p=0.041). There was no significant difference in the pathological fusion analysis between the groups. While teriparatide has been shown to increase callus thickness, it does not exert a significant influence on the process of fracture union, neither enhancing nor inhibiting it.