In vitro evaluation of the biofunctionality of osteoblasts cultured on DegraPol-foam

The biofunctionality of osteoblasts cultured on DegraPol-foam, a biodegrada ble. elastic, and highly porous polyesterurethane-foam, was determined here to examine the possible use of this structure as bone repair material. Ost eoblasts from rat tibia and from the cell line (MC3T3-E1) exhibited relativ ely high attachment and low doubling time that result in a confluent cell m ultilayer on the surface of the foam. They produced high concentrations of collagen type I and osteocalcin, and expressed increasing alkaline phosphat ase activity. Exposure to 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (Vit. D) increased dose- and time-dependent alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin concentra tion, and decreased the level of collagen type I and cell density. Maximal effects of Vit. D on alkaline phosphatase activity (2.2 fold), osteocalcin (1.5 fold), collagen type I (50% reduction), and on cell density (35% reduc tion) were found at 100 ng Vit. D ml(-1). Osteoblasts cultured on DegraPol- foam in the presence of Vit. D exhibited more spreading and less spindle-l ike morphology than cells cultured in the absence of Vit. D. Cell ingrowth into the ports of the foam was not affected by Vit. D treatment. Taken coll ectively, the osteoblasts, capability of responding to Vit. D confirms the osteoblast compatibility of DegraPol-foam and the possible use of this scaf fold in the bone healing process.