Osteostimulatory effect of bone grafts on fibroblast cultures

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the morphological changes and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in fibroblast, which is indicative of their functional ability when cultured in three different commercially available graft materials with osseoconductive property. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibroblasts obtained from fifth passage were seeded within three different bone substitutes (bovine hydroxyapatite [HA] [Osseo-graft(®)], β-tricalciumphosphate [RTR(®)], bovine HA [Bio-oss(®)]) and incubated under standard cell culture conditions. 10 samples in each group were evaluated for cell morphology and alkaline phosphates activity using scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometric analysis on the 7(th) day of culture. RESULTS: Fibroblast cultured with RTR(®) showed changes in morphology and increase in ALP activity when compared to fibroblast cultured with Osseo-graft(®) and Bio-oss(®). CONCLUSION: Alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in fibroblasts when cultured with three types of commercially available bone grafts. ALP activity was highest when cultured with β-tricalcium phosphate graft material indicating its better bone regenerating capacity of this graft material.