Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of the traumatic brain injury on the fracture healing and the related mechanism. Methods 64 12-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: The femoral fracture with a brain injury group and the femoral fracture group. The bone callus was obtained 1, 2, 3 and 4 week after operation respectively, and observed with the HE staining. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF mRNA in the callus were detected with immunohistochemical staining and hybridization in situ. Results The formation and reforming of the callus in group with brain injury were ahead to only fracture. The percentages of the cells positive for VEGF and VEGF mRNA in the callus were more in group with brain injury than in pure fracture group at the same time point (P<0.05). Conclusion Traumatic brain injury can promote the healing of fracture, which is probably related to an increase in the expression of VEGF.

Key words: fracture, healing, traumatic brain injury, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), rats