Effects of theophylline on fracture healing in rats

Theophylline is a drug derived from methylxanthine and it has bronchodilator anti-inflamatory effects. Thanks to these effects it is used in the treatment of bronchial astma and anaphylaxis which causes bronchospasm, allergen, toxic gas, in the treatment of respiratory distress resulting from breathing fumes, chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmoner Disease(COPD) and it is used to resolve the reversible bronchospasm in acute attacks. In the present study, the effect of Theophylline on the healing of fractures was investigated histologically and radiologically by forming an experimental fracture model in rat femurs. As subjects of 42, average weight 232 g (range, 194-255 g), which, 20-week female Sprague Dawley rats were used. After an adaptation period of 1 week, rats were randomised into 6 groups with 7 rats in each one. T1 was 7 days , T2 21 days experiment and T3 35 days experiment group. There were also three control groups: K1; 7,K2; 21 and K3;35 days groups. On the right femurs of rats, fracture was created under anesthesia and internal fixation was made. In T groups, 40 mg/kg Theophylline was administered once a day via orogastric way. It was not administered to control groups. On 7. day T1 and K 1 groups, on 21. day T 2 and K 2 groups, and on 35. day T 3 and K 3 groups were sacrificed and union tissue on the fracture line on right femurs was analysed histologically and radiologically and inter group comparisons were made. In histological evaluation, it was established that Theophylline accelarated fracture healing on 7 day groups. In radiological evaluation, especially on 21 day group Theophylline led to higher rate of improvement compared to control group. In conclusion, it was established that Theophylline administered orogastrically enhanced healing of fractures in histological and radiological evaluations. It is our suggestion that Theophylline, with many proven favorable effects, may have positive effects in the healing of fractures. This study is the first experimental study in this direction about effects of theophylline on fracture healing. Key words: Fracture healing,Theophylline Effects, Tissue Oxygenization