Mitogenic response of cells in culture to demineralized bone matrix

In this study the mitogenic effect of demineralized bone powder (DBP) on cells in tissue culture was evaluated. The cells studied have osteoblastic properties. At a DBP concentration of 100 micrograms/well, rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS) 17/2.8 cells, ROS 24/1 cells, and periosteal fibroblasts (POF) all showed a significant increase in proliferation in comparison to controls. The peak effect was on day two for ROS 17/2.8 (125% of control), on day three for ROS 24/1 (139% of control), and on day four for POF (145% of control). The results indicate that this in vitro system may be useful for evaluating the osteoinductive activity of DBP preparations.