OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of copper on bone fracture healing.

METHODS160 growing chickens aged 70 days were fed in 32 cages, each consisting of five. The fracture with 1 approximately 2 mm defects at the bilateral radius of wings was created by osteotomy. The chickens were divided into four groups, 40 each. Every morning, chickens of the first group, served as controls, were fed orally 0.8% Na-CMC solution (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), those of the other three groups were fed with copper-Na-CMC suspension (copper powder suspended in 0.8% Na-CMC) with different doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg Cu/kg body weight. Each group was sacrificed 14, 21, 28 and 35 days postoperatively. Liver was taken for analysis of Cu and Zn. Both radius were removed by dissection. CT was performed quantitatively for the ment of the gray values of the callus. The biomechanical properties of the healing radius were analyzed by a three point bending test. Afterwards, the contents of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron and hydroxyproline in the callus were determined.

RESULTSThe gray values of the callus increased along with the increase of copper dose and the duration of observation. 21 and 35 days after operation, the gray values of the callus were significantly higher in the high-Cu group than in the controls respectively (909 +/- 220 vs. 597 +/- 155; 973 +/- 100 vs. 763 +/- 179 HU, P < 0.05). The level of calcium and magnesium in the callus 35 days after operation was much higher in the mid and high Cu groups than in the controls respectively (Ca: 177 +/- 26.7, 176 +/- 20.5 and 137 +/- 34.7 mg/g; Mg: 2.98 +/- 0.57, 3.06 +/- 0.46 and 2.43 +/- 0.53 mg/g P < 0.05). The contents of hydroxyproline in the callus 35 days after operation were significantly higher in the high-Cu group than in the controls (34.23 +/- 1.96 vs. 32.17 +/- 1.93 mg/g respectively). The biomechanical properties of the repaired radius had a better improvement tendency in the three Cu-fed groups than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONCopper is helpful in fracture healing; however, the effect of copper on fracture healing needs further study.

Animals ; Bony Callus ; Chickens ; Copper ; Fracture Healing ; Zinc

Objectives:To investigate the effects of zinc supplements on the nutritional state of gut mucosa after major burns. Methods:Weanling rats were fed zinc deficient chows (zinc content: 1.6 ?g/g) for seven days to induce zinc deficient status. Then 20% TBSA deeper second degree scalds were made and the rats were divided into three groups fed on chows different in zinc contents. Zinc contents were 1.6 ?g/g, 24.7 ?g/g, 286.9 ?g/g respectively. A group of rats fed normal zinc content (24.7 ?g/g) diets before and after scalds was designed as control. Rats were killed on the eighth day after burns and certain sections of jejunum and ileum were resected. Vincristine was injected 6 hours before they were killed, which was supposed to block cell division in metaphase. DNA and protein contents as well as crypt cell production rate (CCPR) were calculated. Results: DNA contents and CCPR of jejunal mucosa were markedly improved in the group of zinc supplements. Protein contents were also improved to some extent. The same trend could be seen in ileac mucosa too. Conclusions: Zinc plays an important role on the nutritional states and proliferation of gut mucosal cells. To supplement zinc after major burns in rats with zinc deficent could help to repair the injured intestinal mucosa.

Objective: To study the morphologic differences and nutritional components of the natural and broken Masson pine pollen. Methods: Pure pollen was collected from Masson pine (Pinus Massoniana Lamb) and the dry pollen was broken by high speed low temperature air flow technique. Their morphologic changes were observed under scan electronic microscopy. The nutritional components of pollen were analyzed.Results: The pollen particle consists of two air bags and one main part, like a mushroom cap. The main morphologic change of broken pollen was that the air bags were separated from pollen particles, and the main part of pollen particles became enriched. The physical characteristics of pollen were changed in container and its fluidity was lost. The broken pollen had very strong adhesiveness. So it could not fly like natural pollen. In broken pollen, the rough fiber, cellulose and semi cellulose contents decreased significantly. Total energy, total lipid, and starch contents increased remarkably. The water soluble and fat soluble components also increased greatly. The total amino acids content of broken pollen was higher than natural pollen except Cys, Arg and Met, and free amino acids were also higher except Cys, Gly and Met. In broken pollen, the amount of lipids extracted by ether increased sharply, nearly 7 times more than natural pollen.Conclusion: It is considered that some nutritional components of natural pollen can be released after broken. Because most of the lipids in pollen are easily oxidized, broken pollen can not be stored for long time.