[Mechanical stimulation of osteoblasts in cell culture].

BACKGROUND

Mechanical loading of bone is known to play a crucial role in bone remodeling and regeneration. Whereas the clinical effects of mechanically modulated bone healing have been extensively studied, less is known about the underlying mechanisms on a cellular level. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of uniaxial strains on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Mechanical loading was applied in physiological and hyperphysiological magnitudes. Nonstimulated cultures served as controls.

RESULTS

Cultured primary bovine periosteal cells exhibited phenotypic features of osteoblast-like cells. Application of physiological strains (2,000 mu strain) led to a bone-specific expression of extracellular matrix proteins (osteonectin, osteocalcin, collagen type I). Hyperphysiological loads (10,000 mu strain) were associated with an increased synthesis of proteoglycans. Proliferation of cells was higher than the controls at 10,000 mu strain and showed no difference from physiologically loaded osteoblasts.

DISCUSSION

Our study demonstrates that physiological loading of osteoblast-like cells enhances the regenerative capacity of bone, whereas hyperphysiological loads may impair bone regeneration.