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The transmitters and/or modulators calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasointestinal polypeptide (VIP) are supposed to be involved in bone growth, fracture healing and internal remodeling. Immunohistochemical proof of neuropeptide positive fibers in normal bone let us assume that these substances effect the early phase of fracture healing. Exact time of appearance of neuropeptide positive fibers, localisation in the bone, chemospecifity and mode of genesis are unknown so fare. Research was done on a model of distance osteosynthesis of the rabbit tibia. Primary and secondary antibodies were used for indirect immunohistochemical technique. We put more strength on the concrete stereological calculation of length of the nerve fibers than on a conventional statistical evaluation. After histological preparation of tissue specimens from the interfragmental gap and the bone marrow beside the gap the neuropeptides CGRP, SP and NPY were immunohistochemically expressed. Sprouting of CGRP- and SP-positive nerve fibers has its origin in the bone marrow. A vascularisation in the early state of osteoneogenesis after fracture seems impossible without the nerval peptidergic influence and transmission.

Gene therapy in orthopedic surgery is a new technic based on the idea of biological tissue healing. External gene segments are transferred to cells that overexpress growth factors locally to achieve this effect. The influence of growth factors on fracture healing is very well documented in the literature. Experimental data demonstrate that defect healing in bone can be accelerated by the application of different cytokines in vivo. Gene transfer is a promising, new technic of in situ tissue engineering that will enter clinics within the next decade.

During the past years molecular biology has become increasing interesting for medical research. These techniques allow the identification of intra-, extra- and intercellular mechanisms, which are important for physiological and pathophysiological processes. Because healing takes place at the cellular level, molecular biology is also relevant for traumatological research. As of yet, there are only a few papers which deal with molecular biological and traumatological problems. For this reason, we only have little knowledge of the function of genes and proteins during wound and fracture healing, for example. To demonstrate the possibilities of molecular biology, we present an experimental strategy by which these techniques can help to answer special traumatological questions.