The influence of oral L-arginine on fracture healing: an animal study.

Background: The known biological activities of nitric oxide suggest a role in bone healing. We hypothesized that L-arginine, a source of nitric oxide, expedites the healing process of stabilized diaphyseal defects.

Type Of Study: Prospective blinded animal study.

Methods: Using a guinea-pig model, a 7 mm diaphyseal and periosteal defect was produced in the right femur and splinted intramedullary with a 1.4 mm K-wire. The guinea pigs (n = 44) were treated orally in three parallel groups: two treatment groups received high doses of L-arginine (one group for 2 weeks and the other for 4 weeks) and a control group received vehicle only. After four weeks, all animals were killed and both femora explanted. Radiological, histological, histomorphometric and mechanical evaluation was performed blinded.

Results: Radiographs showed significantly more healing in the treatment groups (2 weeks, 10/15; 4 weeks, 11/15) than in the control group (3/14). The mechanical energy necessary for femur failure was significantly higher in the 4-week treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Histology and histomorphometry showed significantly increased coverage of nonvascularized bone fragments with newly formed bone in the treatment groups (P < or = 0.05). The contralateral uninjured femora did not show significant differences between groups.

Conclusions: Oral L-arginine expedites healing in stabilized diaphyseal defects in guinea pigs without detrimentally affecting uninjured counterparts.