[Influence of cadmium on cartilage and bone formation induced by bone morphogenetic protein]

An induced osteogenetic model was established using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) to study direct effect of cadmium on bone tissue, cartilage and bone formation. Four indicators, i.e. incorporation of 35S and 40Ca, and activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acidic phosphatase (ACP), were used to reflect cartilage and bone formation. Results showed that no obvious effect of cadmium on incorporation of 35S was found, but cadmium could lower incorporation of 40Ca, inhibit activities of ALP and have no obvious effect on activity of ACP in osteogenesis. Therefore, it is concluded that cadmium has no obvious influence on cartilage formation, but has obvious inhibitory effect on endochondral bone formation, and cadmium can inhibit the function of osteoblast and calcium salt deposit.