Hyperhomocysteinemia inhibits tibial fracture healing in rats through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
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- Published online on: January 3, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8412
- Pages: 2083-2088
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Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
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Abstract
To explore the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) on the tibial fracture healing in rats and its effect on the phosphatidylinositol 3‑hydroxy kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. A total of 36 Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=12), tibial fracture group (n=12) and hHcys + fracture group (n=12). The rats in tibial fracture group underwent the tibial fracture surgery, while the model of tibial fracture and hHcys was established in hHcys + fracture group. The level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in each group was analyzed using the full‑automatic biochemical analyzer, the fracture stress biomechanical measurement was performed, and the ultimate bending strength and torque were calculated. Moreover, the protein expressions of PI3K and phosphorylated (p)‑AKT in tibial tissues were detected using western blotting, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of Bcl‑2 associated X protein (Bax) and caspase‑3 were detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the apoptosis was detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‑mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the expressions of inflammatory factors were detected via immunohistochemistry. Compared with sham group, tibial fracture group and hHcys + fracture group had a significantly increased level of plasma Hcy, significantly decreased ultimate bending strength and torque, obviously decreased relative protein expressions of PI3K and p‑AKT, increased mRNA levels of Bax and caspase‑3 and an increased expression of pro‑inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α). Compared with tibial fracture group, hHcys + fracture group had a higher level of plasma Hcy, lower ultimate bending strength and torque, lower relative protein expressions of PI3K and p‑AKT, higher mRNA levels of Bax and caspase‑3, a higher apoptosis rate and a higher expression of TNF‑α. hHcys blocks the downstream apoptotic signal transduction, promotes apoptosis and inflammatory response, and affects fracture healing through affecting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
