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Bone tissue engineering: the role of interstitial fluid flow.
1Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|March 25, 1994
Summary
Interstitial fluid flow (ISF) is crucial for bone healing and maintenance. Reduced ISF flow, seen in conditions like bedrest, can lead to bone loss, highlighting its role in bone remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Skeletal Biology
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Vascularization is essential for bone healing, implying the necessity of blood and interstitial fluid (ISF) flow.
- Changes in bone blood flow and ISF flow correlate with bone remodeling and formation.
- ISF flow is driven by pressure gradients from vascular, hydrostatic, and mechanical loading factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review interstitial fluid flow in bone.
- To elucidate the role of ISF flow in osteogenesis (bone formation).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on bone blood flow and ISF flow.
- Analysis of conditions affecting ISF flow rates and their impact on bone remodeling.
- Examination of the hypothesis that ISF flow mediates signal transduction in bone remodeling.
Main Results:
- Altered ISF flow rates are observed in conditions such as hypertension, bedrest, microgravity, injury response, and exercise.
- These conditions also induce changes in bone remodeling.
- Hypothesized that ISF flow, particularly fluid shear stress, mediates remodeling signals.
Conclusions:
- ISF flow is integral to bone healing, maintenance, and remodeling.
- Decreased ISF flow is linked to bone loss in disuse and microgravity.
- Understanding ISF flow mechanics is key to addressing bone loss conditions.