EFFECTS OF OFLOXACIN ON EXPERIMENTAL FRACTURE HEALING IN WISTAR RATS

Background: The process of bone healing is highly influenced by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Ofloxacin is one of the extensively used broad spectrum antibiotic in current clinical practice, belongs to fluoroquinolones, which are known to have adverse effects on chondrocytes. Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the bone healing process in untreated femoral fractures in rats under the influence of Ofloxacin. The effects were evaluated by means of radiology, histology and mechanical strength of callus by clinical examination. Methodology: Study was conducted in four phases comprising of forty Wistar rats. Each phase had ten rats, which were divided into two group of 5 rats each, one study group and another control group. Unilateral displaced femoral fractures are produced in both groups and in study group, Ofloxacin administered for four weeks. After 4 weeks animals are killed and fractures examined clinically, radiographed and histological study of fracture callus was done.Results: Radiography and clinical examination showed signs of healing in all fractures. Histologically healing process showed progressive formation of callus but histological abnormalities were detected in study group compared to control group. Conclusions: There was no clinically significant difference on bone callus strength and radiologicaly no signs of difference in union of femoral fractures with the use of ofloxacin when compared to control group. However histologically there were significant differences particularly around endochondral ossification front. This study differs from previous studies which reports that ofloxacin may have some adverse effects on chondrocytes.  Key words: Ofloxacin; Chondrocytes; Experimental fracture healing; Wistar rat