Stimulation Of EP4 Receptor Enhanced Bone Consolidation During Distraction Osteogenesis

BackgroundDistraction osteogenesis is useful in the treatment of short extremities and severe bone defects. This method has been systematically developed and perfected by Ilizarov. However, the procedure of distraction osteogenesis requires a long time for the distraction and consolidation of the distracted callus. Both researchers and doctors have made great efforts to resolve the problem.To enhance new-bone formation and maturation, and thereby shorten treatment time, the use of adjunctive modalities, including the transplantation of progenitor cells, the demineralization of a bone matrix, the administration of growth factors and hormones, and the application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, has been extensively investigated. Distraction osteogenesis is a complicated process. Recent studies have implicated a growing number of cytokines involved in the regulation of bone synthesis and turnover. However, while attempts...