The effect of diphosphonates on periosteal and bone cells in culture.

Calvaria cells were separated into periosteal and bone cells and cultured in the presence of ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) or dichloromethanediphosphonate (Cl2MDP). Both cell types were affected to the same degree with respect to the effect on cell number and lactate production. The action of the diphosphonates seems therefore not to be specific for one of the cell types.