Streaming potential measurements at low ionic concentrations reflect bone microstructure

Streaming potentials (SPs) have been proposed as one transduction pathway for mechanically driven bone remodeling. The fluid spaces in which SPs are generated will determine, in part, the structural information that they can provide to bone cells. Streaming potential measurements across cortical bone strips soaked in a range of saline concentrations were used to estimate the mean radii of fluid spaces that contribute to generation of electrokinetic fields. Using a cylindrical pore model, a pore radius of less than 200 A fit SP magnitude as a function of concentration. This pore size was shown to be consistent with estimates obtained from data reported earlier for SP as a function of concentration using a non-specific model, but was smaller than previously reported estimates for pore radius. A pore size in this range indicates that flow either in bone microporosity, or canaliculi that are substantially occluded by cellular material, must generate streaming potentials. Further, the fact that such small pores generate SPs in bone indicates that SPs could provide information regarding local matrix structure to bone cells.