Circulating sensory peptide levels within 24 h of human bone fracture

We designed this study to examine the circulatory levels of wound modulatory peptides [substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP] in patients with muscle injuries with bone fractures and within 24 h of the injury. The peripheral plasma levels of these sensory nerve peptides were measured on hospital admission (OA) and 24 h past-injury (PI). using ELISA technique. Mean (s.d) ng/liter of CGRP was higher in patients OA (270 +/- 199), and PI (205 +/- 176); than the controls (3 +/- 81)P < 0.05. Substance P also increased in the patients OA: 101 <plus/minus> 50; PI: 46 +/- 3 than controls [8 +/- 9] P < 0.001. Elastase (predictor of posttraumatic complication) was examined and there was no significant differences between patients and control samples (P = NS). This study shows that sensory nerve peptides are increased in bone fracture related injuries up to 24 h after injury. An intact nociceptor system of primary afferent sensory nerves is important for the initiation of the inflammatory process and successful tissue repair as dysfunction of this system could be a contributing factor for a delayed wound healing. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.