MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF REPARATIVE OSTEOGENESIS UNDER CONDITIONS OF CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION DURING PHARMACOLOGICAL CORRECTION IN AN EXPERIMENT

Aim — to assess the effect of combined metabolic correction (succinic acid, calcium citrate, vitamin D₃) on the morphological dynamics of reparative osteogenesis under ongoing lead intoxication. Materials and methods. Fifteen rats of experimental group II received water with lead acetate (50 mg/kg); after creation of a monocortical defect of the right femoral diaphysis (week 4, diameter 1.0 mm) the diet was supplemented with succinic acid (100 mg/kg), calcium citrate (200 mg/kg) and vitamin D₃ (500 IU/kg). Animals were withdrawn on days 7, 14, 21 and 28; sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Masson trichrome (×100, ×400). Results. Under correction, repair proceeded more actively than in untreated animals: as early as day 7 angiogenesis and osteoblastic activity recovered, inflammatory infiltration and haemorrhages were absent, and cartilage fragments appeared. By days 14–21 a well-consolidated callus formed with compact, better-mineralised trabeculae and signs of woven-to-lamellar remodelling. By day 28 the callus consisted predominantly of mature lamellar bone with restored architecture, although isolated dystrophic osteocytes persisted. Conclusion. Combined metabolic correction substantially improves reparative osteogenesis under lead intoxication, bringing the morphological picture closer to physiological, yet not reaching the level of intact animals.