ABSTRACT
Biocompatibility is an important factor in the development of orthopedic implants as well as in the development of new tissue culture devices. Polysulphone has been used for orthopedic implants because of its mechanical properties, ease of sterilization, molding capacity, and biocompatibility. Therefore, polysulphone has been chosen as the prime material for the construction of tissue culture devices to be used for the cultivation of osteogenic cells (preosteoblast-like MN7 cells and primary bone marrow fragments), as well as complete fetal long bone explants under space flight conditions. Whereas polysulphone did not interfere with the proliferation in early stages of bone-forming cells, we show that leachable factors within the polysulphone polymer prevented the final steps of matrix formation as measured by collagen synthesis and matrix mineralization. These data argue against polysulphone as a material for orthopedic implants.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials , Calcification, Physiologic , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Osteoblasts/cytology , Osteogenesis/physiology , Polymers/pharmacology , Prostheses and Implants , Sulfones/pharmacology , Animals , Bone Marrow Cells , Bone and Bones , Calcification, Physiologic/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Culture Techniques/instrumentation , Culture Techniques/methods , Femur , Fetus , Metatarsal Bones , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Organ Culture Techniques/methods , Osteoblasts/drug effects , Osteogenesis/drug effectsABSTRACT
Mechanical loading plays an important role in the development and maintenance of skeletal tissues. Subnormal mechanical stress as a result of bed rest, immobilization, but also in spaceflight, results in a decreased bone mass and disuse osteoporosis, whereas supranormal loads upon extremities result in an increased bone mass. In this first in vitro experiment with complete fetal mouse cartilaginous long bones, cultured under microgravity conditions, we studied growth, glucose utilization, collagen synthesis, and mineral metabolism, during a 4-day culture period in space. There was no change in percent length increase and collagen synthesis under microgravity compared with in-flight 1x gravity. Glucose utilization and mineralization were decreased under microgravity. In addition, mineral resorption, as measured by 45Ca release, was increased. These data suggest that weightlessness has modulating effects on skeletal tissue cells. Loss of bone during spaceflight could be the result of both impaired mineralization as well as increased resorption.
