[A model for studying on mechanical responses of osteoblast seeded in three dimensional scaffold]

To establish a model for studying on mechanical responses of osteoblasts seeded in 3 dimensional(3D) scaffold.

Fifty pieces of bio-derived cancellous bones, whose holes were 500 to 800 microm and density was 0.36 to 0.45 g/cm3, were obtained as the scaffolds. They were cultured with the third passage suspension of Wistar rat. Twenty-four of the 50 scaffolds were constructed under apparent strain sine waveform with amplitude of 1 000 microepsilon, frequency of 3 Hz, and duration of 3 min/d, as experimental group. The other scaffolds were control group. After 3-day coculture, osteoblasts were observed with scanning electron microscope. The proliferation of the osteoblasts was checked by MTT on scheduled date.

Scanning electron microscopic observation showed that osteoblasts attached and spread on the trabeculae, which presented the validity of the model under proper mechanical condition. Experiment showed that mechanical environment promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts. The observation of proliferation of osteoblasts showed that the quantity of osteoblasts in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 days after culturing. There was significant difference between the two groups 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 days after culturing (P < 0.05).

The establishment of the model can facilitate the study of mechanical responses of osteoblasts under different conditions.