A new study has found that injecting a compound found in toothpaste could treat bone fractures caused by osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones vulnerable to breakage.
Researchers from Sweden suggest that the mineral hydroxyapatite, which is used in some toothpastes to prevent tooth decay, can help stimulate new bone growth. Patients with osteoporosis who were injected into the fracture site had higher bone density and a lower risk of needing further surgery.
Throughout life, cells called osteoclasts break down old bone while new bone is formed by cells called osteoblasts.
The activity of these cells is generally constant, but after age 50 or so, the number of osteogenic cells is progressively lower than that of osteoblasts.
Osteoporosis develops when the balance tilts too much in favor of bone-destroying cells. The condition often goes undetected until a fracture occurs.
There are medications to treat this condition, such as bisphosphonates, which reduce the risk of fractures but do not reverse bone loss.
Patients often undergo traditional surgery using screws and metal plates to repair these fractures, but weak bones can make this difficult. Repeated surgery is often needed as the bone is unable to hold the screws in place.
Therefore, in addition to these traditional procedures, it is now possible to receive injections of newer drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, to strengthen the bones.
Doctors at Lund University in Sweden used a synthetic form of hydroxyapatite to boost bone strength during surgery.
Hydroxyapatite is a natural mineral found in human bones and teeth, which provides strength to bones and aids in regeneration. It is also added to some toothpastes, where it is believed to help remineralize tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
In the new study, hydroxyapatite was injected into the bone surrounding the fracture after it had been repaired with screws and plates. The hydroxyapatite set in within minutes to enhance the repair process.
After seven to 14 days, the patients received intravenous injections of bisphosphonate acid, a drug used in pill form to slow the rate of bone breakdown.
The combination of bisphosphonates and hydroxyapatite led to the growth of new bone cells to enhance the repair process, the journal Acta Biomaterialia reported.
After two months, the researchers found that the treated area had turned into bone around the screws, and after six months, bone density had increased by up to 17 percent. Stability around screws and plates increased fourfold, meaning patients would not need to repeat surgery.
Mike McNicholas, consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals, said the findings were "very significant and will make a real difference to those unfortunate enough to suffer a fragility fracture".