Electrical stimulation and vitamin AD₃E administration have been shown to enhance the repair of biological tissues such as bone, ligament and tendon, The objective of this study were (a) to investgate the therapeutic effects of different levels of electrical stimulation and vitamin AD₃E administration on fracture healing in a rat model and (b) to identify the most effective voltage level. Ninety Sprague-dawley rats were divided into electrical stimulation group and vitamin AD₃E administration group. Electricla stimulation group was divided into four groups on the basis of the level of current delivered. The experimental groups received current (which varied by group), while the controls, with identical electrodes, received no current. In vitamin AD₃E administration group, experimental group was injected 2,500 IU of vitamin A, 1,250 IU of vitamine D₃, 1㎎ of vitamine E intramuscularly. And in control group 0.1㎖ of saline was injected intramuscularly. After time periods (7-day, 14-day, 21-day for stimulation all rats were tested with combination of biochemical, roentgenologic and histomorphological methods. The results obtained were as follows ;
In electrical stimulation groups, serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus level of experimental and control groups showed non specific change within normal physiological ranges. In vitamin AD₃E administration group, serum calcium level of experimental and control groups showed non specific changes within normal physiological ranges, while experimental group showed slightly higher serum inorganic phosphorus level. According to roentgenologic and histomorphological examination, 2V 25Hz electrical stimulation group and vitamine AD₃E administration group showed statistically significant improvements in bone density and ossification reaction until day 14. The terapeutic effect of stimulation on fracture healing was similiar to that of vitamin AD₃E administration. In this study stimulation of 2V 25Hz was the most effective level of electrical stimulation for the healing of fracture of rats.
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