Abstract:

Objective To establish a stable mandibular fracture model with inferior alveolar nerve（IAN） mutilated for exploring the IAN influence to the expression of collagen Ⅰ during mandibular fracture. Methods Japanese white rabbits were selected and IAN was liberated. The right was leaven as it is and the left was cut off, then 2 mm×5 mm fracture model was made, and HE staining and chromotropic acid 2R-bright green staining and in situ hybridization of collagen Ⅰ mRNA were made to detect mandibular fracture healing and collagen Ⅰ mRNA expression. Results Fracture healing was smooth in IAN conserved side, but delayed in the IAN mutilated side. Collagen Ⅰ in situ hybridization showed that at one week and two weeks after surgery there were obvious differences between the two sides（P<0.05）, but no difference at three weeks after surgery and four weeks（P>0.05）. Conclusion The IAN could regulate mandibular fracture healing, and influence collagen Ⅰ mRNA earlier expression.

Key words: inferior alveolar nerve, mandibular fracture, collagen Ⅰ, in situ hybridization