The response of osteoblast-like cells to dexamethasone and cyclic loading.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cyclic loading can alter the response of osteoblasts to dexamethasone. Proliferation of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) was assessed by determining uptake of 3H-thymidine. Three doses of dexamethasone were tested: 0.001 nM, .001 nM, or 0.1 nM. Exposure to increasing levels of dexamethasone resulted in decreased proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. Although there was a slight decrease in proliferation seen in the controls (no dexamethasone) with cyclic loading, cyclic loading did not affect the response of osteoblast-like cells to dexamethasone under these test conditions. Varying loading conditions and the potential effect on metabolic and synthetic activity of the osteoblast-like cells need further study.