Protein-chemical analysis of Bio-Oss bone substitute and evidence on its carbonate content

The natural bone substitute Bio-Oss is used in periodontal and maxillofacial surgery to fill bone defects and permit reossification. Recent reports have suggested the presence of TGFbeta and of substantial amounts of protein in Bio-Oss and have questioned its position as a biologically inert material and its safety in clinical applications (Hönig et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 1999;103:1324; Schwartz et al., J Periodontol 2000;71:1258). Bio-Oss was therefore subjected to a detailed biochemical, histochemical and biophysical analysis. In three different types of extracts of Bio-Oss no evidence for the presence of protein based on SDS-PAGE and silver staining was detected. In addition, as shown by Western blotting, there was no immunochemical evidence for the presence of the potential growth-inducing factor TGFbeta. Furthermore, micropolished sections of Bio-Oss failed to be stained with McNeal's Tetrachrome as did microtome sections treated with Goldner's Trichrome. However, Bio-Oss was strongly stained with the protein dye Coomassie blue. This staining was virtually irreversible and is attributed to the carbonate content of Bio-Oss which was detected by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry. Thus, within the limits of the assay conditions, Bio-Oss does not contain protein material to a measurable extent.