The effects of ibandronate sodium in the consolidation of rat femoral fractures subjected to intramedullary nailing

Background: Ibandronate sodium is used for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis and in having anti-catabolic action it improves bone structure, bone mineralization, bone fracture healing, mechanical fixation and osseointegration of implants in animal models. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ibandronate sodium in the consolidation of rat femoral fractures subjected to intramedullary osteosynthesis. Methods: Forty-eight male, adult Wistar rats were used in the study, randomly distributed in two groups (ibandronate and control). All animals were submitted to surgical procedure for intramedullary osteosynthesis, and subsequently submitted to a right femoral fracture. Six animals in each group were euthanized on the 7th, 14th, 28th and 42nd day after surgery. The femurs of the animals were resected and submitted to radiological and histological analysis of bone callus. Results: Radiographic analysis presented no significant differences between groups. In the ibandronate group, optical density was significantly higher on the 42nd day. In the analysis of collagens, type I collagen was denser and type III collagen was less dense in the ibandronate group (compared to control). Conclusions: From the results, it was possible to conclude that ibandronate sodium favorably interferes in the consolidation of femur fractures in rats treated with intramedullary mailing.