Endogenous Production of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Promotes Fracture Healing in Mice

Bone fracture is a global healthcare issue for high rates of delayed healing and nonunions. Although n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) is considered as a beneficial factor for bone metabolism, only few studies till date focused on the effects of n-3 PUFAs on fracture healing. In this study, we investigated the effect of endogenous n-3 PUFAs on fracture healing by measuring femur fracture repair in both fat-1 transgenic mice and WT mice. Proximal femoral fracture model was established in fat-1 transgenic mice and WT mice, respectively, and then the fracture was analyzed by using X-ray, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histological assessment at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after fixation. The results showed that compared with WT mice, fat-1 mice exhibited acceleration in fracture healing through radiographic and histological analysis (18–21 days versus 21–28 days postfracture). Meanwhile, X-ray and micro-CT analysis that showed better remodeling callus formation were in the fat-1 group compared to WT group. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed that endogenous n-3 PUFAs promoted local endochondral ossification and accelerated the remodeling of calcified calluses after fracture. In conclusion, the present study indicated that endogenously produced n-3 PUFAs promote fracture healing process and accelerate bone remodeling in mice, and supplementation of n-3 PUFAs was positively associated with fracture healing.