Human cortical bone intrinsic permeability distribution based on 3D canalicular morphology
Remy Gauthier1, Hélène Follet2, Cécile Olivier3
1Univ Lyon, CNRS, INSA Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MATEIS UMR 5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France.
Bone
|March 2, 2025
Summary
This study quantifies bone permeability using realistic canalicular geometry, revealing heterogeneous distributions and age-related decreases. Confocal microscopy can reliably estimate bone permeability based on canalicular length density.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Bone permeability is crucial for mechanobiological modeling and bone remodeling.
- Previous studies used simplified geometries, limiting accuracy.
- Realistic canalicular network morphology is essential for precise bone permeability characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize bone permeability using realistic canalicular geometry.
- To assess the relationship between bone permeability and canalicular morphology.
- To explore the potential of confocal microscopy for estimating bone permeability.
Main Methods:
- Human femoral bone samples were analyzed using synchrotron radiation-based nano-computed tomography (100 nm voxel size).
- Canaliculi and lacunae were segmented, and individual canaliculi analyzed using distance map and watershed algorithms.
- Bone permeability was calculated using the Kozeny relation based on canalicular morphology.
Main Results:
- An average intrinsic bone permeability of 8.8 x 10^-18 m^2 was obtained for an empty canalicular network.
- Permeability showed heterogeneous distribution within bone tissue, varying between osteonal and interstitial bone, and within osteons.
- Bone permeability significantly decreased with age and differed between sexes, correlating with canalicular length density.
Conclusions:
- Confocal microscopy can serve as a reliable tool for estimating bone permeability by measuring canalicular length density.
- A novel form of the Kozeny law is proposed, linking bone permeability directly to canalicular length density.
- Calculated permeability values are based on morphology alone and do not account for cellular or peri-canalicular components.
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