O MONITORAMENTO DOS NÍVEIS SÉRICOS DE FOSFATASE ALCALINA, CÁLCIO E FÓSFORO APÓS OSTECTOMIA EXPERIMENTAL EM OVINOS

Abstract

Bone markers in urine or blood (plasma/serum) reflect bone remodeling during fracture healing. This study investigated their role in sheep with circular ostectomy of the third and fourth metacarpals. Specifically, it assessed the correlation between bone regeneration time and serum levels of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and calcium. Twelve sheep underwent ostectomy on the proximal third, dorso-medial surface of both metacarpals. One limb received a chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen bone mat implant, while the other served as the control. Weekly blood samples were collected over eight weeks to measure serum ALP, phosphorus, and calcium. ALP levels showed a significant increase above preoperative values at day 42 (p = 0.03248), day 49 (p = 0.00032), and day 56 (p = 0.000021) compared to day 7 (lowest average ALP). These results suggest an increase in average serum ALP concentration, potentially correlating with peaks during the inflammatory phase of bone repair. This finding indicates the potential utility of ALP as a marker for bone healing.