METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A VITAMIN D DERIVATIVE FOR THE LOCAL TREATMENT OF BONE FRACTURES

Abstract: A method for the treatment and promotion of heal­ ing of bone fractures and osteotomies in warm-blooded animals including humans, which comprises local applica­ tion to the site of the fracture or osteotomy of a therapeutically effective amount of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ dis­ solved or dispersed in a suitable physiologically com­ patible carrier. There are also provided, for use in the above method, compositions comprising from 0.002 to 0.2% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in combination with a physiologi­ cally compatible vehicle suitable for use in orthopedic surgery for local application to a site of bone fracture or osteotomy, or for application to solid or semi-solid implants conventional in orthopedic surgery and to pros­ theses.

Description: Field of Invention The present invention relates to a novel method for the treatment and promotion of healing of bone fractures and osteotomies in warm-blooded animals including humans, by the local application of 24,25-dihydroxy­ cholecalciferol (24,25-dihydroxy vitamin D₃, hereinafter "24,25(OH)₂D₃"). The invention further relates to novel compositions comprising 24,25(OH)₂D₃ adapted for the local application to the sites of bone fractures or osteotomies in accordance with the method of the inven­ tion. Description of Prior Art Vitamin D₃, cholecalciferol, has been long known to be associated with bone formation. Several publications provided evidence that 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol ( 24,25(OH)₂D₃) is the active metabolite in this process. (Bordier, P.A. et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 46 , 284 (1978); Kanis, J.A. et al., Br. Med. J. 1 , 1382 (1978); Ornoy, A. et al., Nature 276 , 517 (1978); and Endo, J.H. et al., Nature 286 , 262 (1980). More recently Brumbough et al., Am. J. Pathology 106 , 171 (1982); Dekel, S. et al., Clin. Sci. 65 , 429 (l983); and Blazheevich, N.V. et al., Vopr. Med. Chim. 28 (6), 98 - 105 (1982) showed that systemic administration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ promotes bone repair and union in exper­ imental fractures. In all these studies, 24,25(OH)₂D₃r­ was administered to the animals or human patients by intravenous or subcutaneous injection into the muscle or by the oral route, and there was no indication nor any hint in the prior art that local administration to the fracture site of this vitamin D₃ metabolite might have any effect on fracture healing. General Description of the Invention. It has now been surprisingly found in accordance with the present invention that local administration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ to the site of bone fractures or osteo­ tomies in warm-blooded animals including humans, unex­ pectedly results in an excellent healing effect of said fractures or osteotomies, the effect being considerably superior to those obtained by hitherto conventional treatments. It has further been found that this benefi­ cial effect on fracture healing is practically unique to 24,25(OH)₂D₃ and is not, or only insignificantly, exhi­ bited by other vitamin D₃ metabolites, in particular 1α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D₃ (hereinafter "1,25(OH)₂D₃"). The invention thus provides, in accordance with one aspect thereof, a method for the treatment and promotion of healing of bone fractures and osteotomies in warm-­ blooded animals including humans, which comprises local application to the site of the fracture or osteotomy of a therapeutically effective amount of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ dis­ solved or dispersed in a suitable physiologically compa­ tible carrier. Local administration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ to the sites of bone fractures or osteotomies, can be effected either by injection of the active metabolite in a suitable solvent (preferably an oily solvent, e.g. arachis oil) to the cartilage growth plate or, in cases of open surgery, by local application thereto of the active vitamin D₃ metabolite dissolved or dispersed in a suit­ able solvent or any other vehicle or carrier selected from those suitable for use in orthopedic surgery, such as bone-wax, demineralized bone powder, polymeric bone cements, bone sealants and the like. Alternatively, local application can be achieved by applying a solution or dispersion of the active metabolite in a suitable vehicle onto the surface of, or incorporating it into solid or semi-solid implants conventionally used in orthopedic surgery, such as dacron-mesh, gel-foam and kiel bone, or prostheses. In accordance with a further aspect, the invention provides compositions adapted for use in the method of the invention, comprising from 0.002 to 0.2% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in combination with a physiologically compatible vehicle (as hereinafter defined) suitable for use in orthopedic surgery for local application to a site of bone fracture or osteotomy, or for application to solid or semi-solid implants conventional in orthope­ dic surgery and to prostheses. Preferably the compositions according to this as­ pect of the invention comprise from 0.005 to 0.05% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃. The terms "vehicle" or "carrier" as used herein are meant to refer to any liquid, semi-solid or solid mater­ ials, either synthetic or of animal origin, which are conventionally used in orthopedic surgery. Suitable vehicles or carriers for use in the com­ positions according to the invention include bone-wax, demineralized bone powder, polymeric bone cements and various conventional bone sealants, e.g. "Absele" (Trade Mark). As stated above, 24,25(OH)₂D₃ can also be ap­ plied, according to the invention, to the surface of prostheses or solid or semi-solid orthopedic implants or incorporated therein, e.g. by absorption in such im­ plants which have a porous structure, e.g. dacron mesh, the so-called gel-foam, kiel bone and the like. In accordance with the present invention it has first been found that local administration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in vivo by injecting to the proximal carti­ lage growth plate of the tibiae of vitamin D-deficient chicks, resulted in disappearance of the rachitic lesions. Similar administration of1,25(OH)₂D₃ failed to show any sign of healing. These findings are consistent with previously published data suggesting that 24,25(OH)₂D₃ is the most potent metabolite for healing rickets and probably plays a direct role in endochondral bone formation and that, furthermore, it is probably important for differentiation and maturation of the growth plate cartilage which has to be replaced by bone. In the light of the above findings, another set of experiments was designed in order to demonstrate the effect of locally administered 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in facili­ tating fracture healing. Experimental fractures were made in the mid-shaft of the tibiae of vitamin D-defici­ ent chicks and a composition comprising 0.1% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in bone-wax was implanted at the frac- ture site. A control group of chicks were treated in the same manner except that at the fracture site there was implanted bone-wax without the active vitamin D₃ metabo­ lite. A number of birds of both groups were killed 9 and 12 days after the fracture, calcium level in the plasma was determined and the calluses formed at the fractured tibiae were examined histologically. Both groups of chicks were found to be hypocalcaemic, indicating that the vitamin D₃ metabolite implanted at the fracture site did not enter the blood stream. It could be observed already macroscopically that the calluses formed after 9 and 12 days in the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated chicks were considerably larger as compared to the control group, and after 12 days the two edges of the bones at the site of the fracture in the treated group were significantly less mobile than in the control fractures. Histological examination of the calluses revealed three major differences between the control and the treated chicks: (a) The cells in the calluses formed at the frac­ ture sites of the control group were still undifferenti­ ated cartilage cells of proliferative nature. In calluses formed in the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated chicks, the majority of cells were well differentiated and hypertro­ phic. (b) Relatively larger numbers of blood vessels were found in the calluses formed in the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated group as compared with the control group calluses, and the appearance of mesenchymal cells (osteoblasts) and formation of osteoid were noted around vessels in the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated calluses, while none were observed in the control group. (c) In the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated group, but not in the control group, there was observed formation of new trabeculae with mineralization. A similar set of experiments was carried out on normal, vitamin D-supplemented chicks. The experimental protocol was identical to the one used with the vitamin D-deficient birds and similar results were observed. The process of fracture-healing which is in prin­ ciple a process of endochondral bone formation, involves the participation of various types of cells. The initial process in bone formation is the proliferation of the cartilage cells (chondroblasts). A distinct solid, ex­ tracellular matrix is being formed and the cells become hypertrophic. Mineralization appears in the extracellu­ lar matrix and thereafter the mineralized cartilage is resorbed by chondroclasts and mesenchymal and osteoblast cells appear and deposit new bone. 24,25(OH)₂D₃ was shown to affect the maturation, differentiation and function of cartilage cells (Corvol, M.T. et al., Endocrinology 102 , 1269 (1978); Endo, J.H. et al., Nature 286 , 262 (1980); Ornoy, A. et al., Nature 276 , 517 (1978)). In the absence of this metabolite the maturation of cartilage cells is blocked, resulting in lack of endochondral ossification. One of the most im­ portant steps in the process of fracture healing is the formation of a cartilaginous callus in which prolifera­ tive cells are maturing to hypertrophic cells which are then replaced by bone, similar to the mechanism in the epiphyseal growth-plate. 24,25(OH)₂D₃ locally applied to the site of the callus formation is most likely taken up by the cells at a very early stage in the process of callus formation, and the entire process is facilitated, as was indeed shown by the above experiments. Faster formation of the callus with faster maturation of the cells will, therefore, result in a faster healing of the fracture and repair of osteotomy. 24,25(OH)₂D₃ was shown in accordance with the present invention to affect the maturation and differen­ tiation of cartilage cells, namely, the initial stages in the process of bone formation. However, several other factors that are known to affect cells participating in the later stages of said process could be advantageously used in order to further shorten the time required for fracture healing. Thus, local application of 1α(OH)D₃to and/or 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in combination with 24,25(OH)₂D₃ at the fracture site could result, not only in faster maturation of cartilage cells, but also in more rapid formation of bone due to an additional effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on osteoblast activity of these cells. Addi­ tional substances which may facilitate fracture healing if applied locally together with 24,25(OH)₂D₃ at the fracture site include estradiol, hydroxyapatite crystals, fluoroapatite crystals and growth-hormone. All these factors are known to stimulate and facilitate fracture healing and bone formation. Thus, the invention also contemplates within its scope a method for the treatment and promotion of heal­ ing of bone fractures and osteotomies in warm-blooded animals including humans, which comprise local applica­ tion to the site of the fracture or osteotomy of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in a suitable carrier in combination with one or more auxiliary substances selected from 1α(OH)D₃, 1,25(OH)₂D₃, estradiol, hydroxyapatite crystals, fluoro­ apatite crystals and growth-hormone. In its other aspect, the invention extends to com­ positions comprising from 0.002 to 0.2% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the above-listed auxiliary substances. Description of the Drawings The invention will now be illustrated by the fol­ lowing non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are light microscopical views of 3 µm thick longitudinal sections from the callus of the tibiae of vitamin D-deficient chicks of the control group in Example 6 herein, taken 9 days after the exper­ imental fracture. Figs. 4 to 7 are similar views to those in Figs. 1 to 3 of preparations taken from the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-treated group of chicks in Example 6, 9 days after experi­ mental fracture. Figs. 8 to 10 are similar views to those of Figs. 1 to 3 of preparations taken from vitamin D-deficient chicks of the control group in Example 6, 12 days after the experimental fracture; and Figs. 11 to 18 are similar views to those of Figs. 1 to 3 of preparations taken from the 24,25(OH)₂D₃-­ treated chicks in Example 6, 12 days after the experi­ mental fracture. Fig. 19 is a typical torque-angle graph of a callus subjected to a torsional stress, indicating the 4 para­ meters measured (see Example 7 herein). Description of Specific Embodiments EXAMPLE 1 2.5 g of bone-wax were heated on a water bath to 55° Cand to the melt there was added a solution of 250 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in 0.5 ml of ethanol. The mixture was stirred at about 55°C for several seconds and immediate­ ly cooled in an ice bath. A sample of the mixture obtained above was extrac­ ted with chloroform-methanol, the extract was evaporated to dryness and the lipid residue submitted to HPLC analysis. The resulting graph was compared with that obtained from the chloroform-methanol extract of the same bone-wax which did not contain the vitamin D₃d metabolite. The only difference between the curves was an additional peak which appeared in the curve obtained from the first-mentioned sample which peak was identi­ fied as the 24,25(OH)₂D₃ peak. This proved that the vitamin D₃ metabolite did not undergo any chemical change in the course of the above-described procedure. EXAMPLE 2 2 mg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ were dissolved in 10 ml of the liquid monomeric component of bone cement. In use, the desired amount of the obtained solution is admixed with prescribed amount of the polymeric component (powder) of the cement, the mixture applied to the fracture site and allowed to set. EXAMPLE 3 A solution of 200 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in 1 ml of ethanol was intimately admixed with 2 g of a convention­ al absorbable bone sealant (main components: ox fibrin, ox collagen, dextran, glycerol, water) by kneading in a glass mortar at room temperature. EXAMPLE 4 500 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ were dissolved in 3 ml of ethanol and the solution intimately admixed with colla­ gen bone powder. The ethanol solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure at room temperature. EXAMPLE 5 Healing of rachitic lesions in chicks by local adminis­ tration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ into the bone One day old male chicks (Gallus domesticus) were depleted of vitamin D by feeding them a vitamin D-­ deficient diet for 4 weeks. They were then divided into four groups and injected directly into the proximal epiphysis of the tibia, every 3 days, with one of the following: (a) 10 µl of arachis oil; (B) 10 µl of arachis oil containing 3 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃; (c) 10 µl of arachis oil containing 1 µg of 1,25(OH)₂D₃; and (d) 10 µl of arachis oil containing 5 µg of 25-hydroxy­ cholecalciferol (25(OH)₂D₃). The oily solutions containing the vitamin D₃ meta­ bolites were injected into the right tibia and the vehicle (arachis oil) only - into the left tibia. Two aditional groups of chicks were studied and served as non-treated controls: a group of rachitic birds and a group of vitamin D₃-supplemented birds. Following a course of three intraephiphyseal injec­ tions the chicks were killed and plasma was prepared for the determination of calcium and of vitamin D₃ metabo­ lites. The proximal epiphyses of the tibiae were re­ moved, fixed in 10% neutral formaldehyde, then dehy­ drated, and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Non-decal­ cified, 3 µm thick longitudinal sections were stained with toluidine blue or von Kossa stain and examined by light microscopy. The results are summarized in the following Table I. As shown in Table I, the vitamin D-deficient chicks that were injected intraepiphyseally with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or with 24,25(OH)₂D₃ retained low plasma concentrations of calcium, similar to untreated vitamin D-deficient birds. None of the hydroxylated vitamine D₃ metabolites could be detected in the plasma of these chicks, indicating that the injected metabolite did not enter the blood stream. However, the chicks that were injected intraepi­ physeally with 25(OH)D₃ showed normal plasma concentra­ tion of calcium and detectable levels of the hydroxy­ lated metabolites, although significantly lower than the levels measured in the vitamin D-supplemented group. The upper tibial epiphyses in all birds were still cartilaginous consisting of reserve, proliferative and hypertrophic zones. In the controls (+D) the different zones were well defined. Vitamin D-deficient chicks revealed typical signs of rickets, i.e. elongated pro­ liferative and hypertrophic zones, wide osteoid seams with little mineralization of cartilage. However, it was difficult to clearly differentiate between the prolifer­ ative and hypertrophic zones and the measurements are related to total epiphyseal length only rather than to individual zones (see Table I). The results prove that injection of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ did not reduce the severity of the rickets, whereas injec­ tion of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ caused almost complete recovery of the right tibia, while the left tibia still showed typical rachitic changes except for a slight reduction in total epiphyseal length. Injection of 25(OH)D₃ was followed by recovery from rickets in both right and left tibiae although the recovery was more pronounced in the right tibia, the injected one. Furthermore, treatment with all metabolites resulted in a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts as compared to +D chicks. This was most prominent following 1,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment. EXAMPLE 6 Promotion of bone formation by local application of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in bone-wax to the site of the fracture One-day old male chicks (Gallus domesticus) were depleted of vitamin D by feeding them a vitamin D-­ deficient diet for four weeks. Experimental fractures were performed under general anasthesia with continuous inhalation of Halotane. A skin incision was made under sterile conditions, the tibia was exposed and a trans­ versal hole was drilled with the aid of a dental burr. Light pressure with the fingers caused transversal frac­ ture of the bone. About 50 mg of bone-wax containing 5 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃, prepared as described in Example 1 herein, was implanted at the fracture site on both edges of the fractures tibia. After 9 and 12 days some of the chicks were killed, plasma was prepared for calcium determination and the calluses of the fractured tibiae were removed, fixed in 10% neutral formaldehyde and prepared routinely for light microscopy. Decalcified preparations were made for Hematoxilyn and Eosin (H&E) staining and undecalcified preparations were made for von Kossa stain. A control group of chicks were treated in the same manner except that 50 mg of bone-wax which did not contain any 24,25(OH)₂D₃ was implanted at the fracture site. Both groups of chicks were hypocalcemic, indicating that the vitamin D₃ metabolite implanted at the fracture site did not enter the blood stream. The calluses formed after 9 and 12 days revealed macroscopically the forma­ tion of a larger callus at the fracture sites where 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in bone-wax was implanted as compared to the control group. On the 12th day after the fracture it was further observed in the treated group that the two edges of the bones at the fracture site were signifi­ cantly less mobile than in the control group. The histological findings are illustrated in Figs. 1 to 18 of the accompanying drawings in which the fol­ lowing can be seen: Figs. 1, 2 and 3: are microscopical views at magnifications of x70 (Figs. 1 and 2) and x280 (Fig. 3) of preparations taken from chicks of the D-deficient control group, 9 days after the frac­ ture. In Figs. 1 and 3 (H&E stain) the appearance of the cartilage cells is the same, with very few blood vessels and no osteoblasts surrounding them. In Fig. 2 (von Kossa stain) there is no calcifica­ tion in the cartilage area (C). In Figs. 4 and 5 (magnification x70) and 6 and 7 (magnification x280) which were taken from the 24,25(OH)₂D₃ -treated chicks 9 days after the frac­ ture, there can be seen a large number of blood vessels (B in Figs. 4 and 5) within the cartilage milieu with the beginning of osteoid formation (+) and calcification ("Cal" in Fig. 7, von Kossa stain). The chondrocytes are of different sizes and shapes (Fig. 6). In Figs 8 to 10 which were taken from the D-­ deficient control group chicks 12 days after the fracture, there are still very few blood vessels (B in Fig. 9, magnification x280) with no differ­ entiation in the cartilaginous tissue and no cal­ cifications (Fig. 10, von Kossa stain, magnifica­ tion x70). Figures 11 to 18 were taken from the 24,25(OH)₂D₃ -­ treated chicks, 12 days after the fracture, at magnifications x70 (Figs. 11, 12 and 15 to 17) and x280 (Figs. 13, 14 and 18). In Figs. 11 to 14 there can be observed chondrocytes in maturation (hypertrophic in Fig. 13) and many blood vessels in the cartilaginous milieu with osteoid surround­ ing them (in the centre of Fig. 14). In Figs. 15 (H&E stain) and 16 (von Kossa stain) new bone formation is seen and in Figs. 17 and 18 (von Kossa stain) - endochondrial ossification. A similar set of experiments was carried out with two groups of normal, vitamin D-supplemented chicks, namely a control group and a group treated with the usual 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in accordance with the above des­ cribed experimental procedure. The results were similar to those observed in the experiments with the vitamin D-­ deficient chicks, as described above. EXAMPLE 7 The effect of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ and/or 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on the mechanical properties of the callus One-day old male chicks were depleted of Vitamin D by feeding them a Vitamin D-deficient diet and by pre­ venting their exposure to ultraviolet light. From day three the birds were treated, every 5 days, by injec­ tions of 1.8 µg of cholecalciferol for the entire exper­ imental period. Experimental fractures were performed under local anaesthesia with 1% lidocaine. A skin incision was made under sterile conditions, the tibia was exposed and a tranverse hole was drilled therethrough with the aid of a dental burr. Light pressure with the fingers caused transversal fracture of the bone. The chicks were di­ vided into 4 groups. In the first group 50 mg of Bone-­ wax containing 5 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ was implanted at the fracture site on both edges of the fractured tibia. In the second group - 5 µg of 1α25(OH)₂D₃ were used, while in the third group a combination of 5 µg of 1α25(OH)₂D₃the and 5 µg of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ was implanted. The fourth group was implanted with a plain bone-wax and served as a control. The chicks were sacrificed 7 days after the above operation. The fractured tibiae were removed and cleaned. Care was taken not to damage the callus, and the ends were potted in a quick-setting polyester resin. Each bone specimen with its molded ends was subjected to torsional deformation using a Universal Testing Instru­ ment, Model 1126 (Instron, England). The machine was suited for torsion testing and the rate of deformation produced was 180 degrees/min. The strength characteris­ tics of each bone were analysed from the torque-angle graph obtained from each bone specimen. Four parameters are readily measured from each graph (Fig. 19): 1. Maximum torque; 2. Angle; 3. Initial stiffness; and 4. Stiffness. The mechanical properties of the calluses are rep­ resented in the following Table 2 (after 7 days of fracture healing). The "strength" of the callus was lower than the normal unbroken tibia. This is as pre­ dicted for a 7 days formation of new bone. 24,25(OH)₂D₃ increased significantly the "strength" of the callus expressed in maximum torque and the initial stiffness, as compared with the other groups, especially the 1,25(OH)₂D₃ -treated group. The elastic property of the callus is obtained by the cartilaginous tissue. The increased angle of the 24,25(OH)₂D₃ -treated group is compatible with the mor­ phological changes which occurred in the callus (see Example 6). A similar set of experiments was carried out, ex­ cept that the chicks were sacrificed 14 days after the implantation with the bone-wax, i.e. after 14 days of healing. No relevant mechanical data in respect of the callus could, however, be obtained because in three out of the four treated groups it was surprisingly found that, upon testing, the bone broke not at the original fracture site but rather in different places, indicating that the healed fracture site was stronger than the remaining sections of the bone. The exception was the control group, wherein about 50% of the specimens broke at the original fracture site, whereas the remaining 50% broke at other portions of the specimen. The obvious conclusion is that in the three groups treated with the vitamin D₃ derivatives the callus was about twice as strong as in the control group. In the last-mentioned series of experiments it is also relevant to note that only the birds of the control group still showed considerable limping after 14 days of healing. Conclusion : Calluses formed in response to local im­ plantation of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ were found to be the strong­ est ones from a mechanical point of view. EXAMPLE 8 The effect of intra epiphyseal injection and local im­ plantation of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ on alkaline phosphatase acti­ vity Introduction: Alkaline phosphatase activity serves as a biochemical parameter for bone formation (1), but its exact role is still unclear (2). In order to quantitate the changes in endochondral ossification which occur in the epiphyseal growth plate and in the callus after local administration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ , we measured the alkaline phosphatase activity (AP). Design of the experiments: 1. See Example 5 herein for the intraepiphyseal model of injection of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ . 2. See Example 6 herein for experimental callus formed in normal and -D chicks. After 10 days (3 injections with 3 days intervals) in the intraepiphyseal injection model; and 7 days in the callus forming model, the chicks were killed. The epiphyseal growth plates and the calluses were dissect­ ed, weighed and homogenized with the aid of a Polytron homogenizer in ice-cold 0.15M NaCl containing 3 mM of NaHCO₃ (pH 7.4), and centrifuged at 20,000 x g for 15 min. at 4°C. The supernatants were assayed for alkaline phosphotase in 0.1M Sodium Barbital buffer, pH 9.3 with p-nitrophenyl phosphate (purchased from "Sigma") as a substrate. Protein was determined in the enzyme ex­ tracts by the Lowry method, and the results were ex­ pressed as units per mg protein. One unit of phosphatase is defined as the enzyme activity that liberated 1 µmol of p-nitrophenol per 0.5h at 37°C. Results and Discussion: As shown in the following Tables 3 and 4 there is a marked reduction in the AP activity after local adminis­ tration of 24,25(OH)₂D₃. The decreased activity of this enzyme correlates well with our findings (Table 5 below) when we deter­ mined AP activity in the epiphyses and diaphyses of normal chicks in comparison with rachitic birds; as well as with the published data in references (3,4). Shedden showed a loss of alkaline phosphatase activity close to a fracture site. This diminution of activity was not caused by the death of the cells in this region, close to the fracture, because a similar result was found in the periosteal cells in subperiosteal fractures (in which the periosteum was intact). Conclusion : Local treatment with 24,25(OH)₂D₃, either by direct injection to the epiphyseal growth plate or by implantation into the fracture site reduces alkaline phosphatase activity which is indicative of a better healing process. REFERENCES 1. Salomon C.D., 1974, A fine structural study on the extracellular activity of alkaline phosphatase and its role in calcification. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 15:201-204 2. Kahn. S.E, Jafri, A.M., Lewis, H.J., Arsenis, C., l978, purification of alkaline phosphatase from extracellular vesicles of fracture callus carti­ lage. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 25:85-92 3. Engstrom, C., Granstrom, G., 1982. Alkaline phos­ phatases in endochondral ossification of rats low in calcium and vitamin D deficient. Acta Orthop Scand. 53: 317-323 4. Shedden, R., Dunham, J., Bitensky, L., Catterall, A., Chayen, J., 1976. Changes in alkaline phos­ phatase activity in periosteal cells in healing fractures. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 22:19-25 The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims: 1. A composition for the treatment and promotion of bone fractures and osteotomies in warm blooded animals including humans, which comprises from 0.002 to 0.2% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in combination with a physiologically compatible vehicle (as herein-before defined) suitable for use in orthopedic surgery for local application to a site of bone fracture or osteotomy, or for application to solid or semi-solid implants conventional in orthopedic surgery and to protheses. 2. A composition according to Claim 1 which comprises from 0.005 to 0.05% by weight of 24,25(OH)₂D₃. 3. A composition according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said carrier is a bone-wax. 4. A composition according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said carrier is a bone cement or one of the components thereof. 5. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said carrier is a bone sealant. 6. A composition according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said carrier is a demineralized bone powder. 7. A composition according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the carrier is a conventional orthopedic implant. 8. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein said implant is gel-foam. 9. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein said implant is dacron mesh. 10. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein said implant is kiel bone. 11. A composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 further comprising one or more auxiliary substances selected from 1a (OH)D₃, 1,25(OH)₂D₃, estradiol, hydro y-apatite crystals, fluoro-­ apatite crystals and growth hormone. 12. Use of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and promotion of healing of bone fractures and/or osteotomies in warm-blooded animals by local application.

Inventors: DEKEL, SAMUEL, EDELSTEIN, SAMUEL, LIDOR, COBI, MEYER, MICHAEL S.
Applicants: YEDA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LTD.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61L25
IPC codes: A61L27, A61P43, A61K31, A61L24