Effect of oral administration of High Advanced-Collagen Tripeptide (HACP) on bone healing process in rat

The influence of oral administration of High Advanced-Collagen Tripeptide (HACP) developed by Jellice Co., Ltd (Sendai, Japan) for bone repairing process was investigated in rat. Cortical bone defects (1mm diameter) of the tibia were created through the medial cortex and medulla. After I day of operation, HACP/ physiological saline solution (80mg/2ml/Kg) was orally administrated as experimental group. Only physiological saline solution was orally administrated as control group. There were no significant differences in body weight, serum levels of total proteins, calcium concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity between HACP and control groups during administration periods. After 3 weeks of administration, the tibia bone was excised. Micro high-resolution microfocus x-ray computed tomography showed the formation of primary woven bone in HACP group. Histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were observed under light microscope. In control group, blood clot inside the bone defect with a thin connective tissue surrounding the defect was observed. On the contrary, bone defect area was filled with granulation tissue, blood clot and a great number of osteoblasts in the HACP group. The present results suggested that oral administration of HACP may provide a beneficial effect on bone healing process.