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Aiming at the generation of a high strontium‐containing degradable bone substitute, the exchange of calcium with strontium in gelatin‐modified brushite was investigated. The ion substitution showed two mineral groups, the high‐calcium containing minerals with a maximum measured molar Ca/Sr ratio of 80%/20% (mass ratio 63%/37%) and the high‐strontium containing ones with a maximum measured molar Ca/Sr ratio of 21%/79% (mass ratio 10%/90%). In contrast to the high‐strontium mineral phases, a high mass loss was observed for the calcium‐based minerals during incubation in cell culture medium (alpha‐MEM), but also an increase in strength owing to dissolution and re‐precipitation. This resulted for the former in a decrease of cation concentration (Ca + Sr) in the medium, while the pH value decreased and the phosphate ion concentration rose significantly. The latter group of materials, the high‐strontium containing ones, showed only a moderate change in mass and a decrease in strength, but the Ca + Sr concentration remained permanently above the initial calcium concentration in the medium. This might be advantageous for a future planned application by supporting bone regeneration on the cellular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the influence of calcium and strontium ion concentration on human bone marrow stromal cells and their differentiation to osteoblasts, different cell culture media have been used. Even though this study does not contain a bone substitute material, the reason for this study was the decrease of cation concentration by many biomaterials, due to induced apatite precipitation. As a consequence, the reduced calcium ion concentration is known to affect osteoblastic development. Therefore, the main focus was put on the question, whether an increased strontium concentration (in the range of mM) might be suitable to compensate the lack of calcium ions. The effect of solely strontium ions—with only calcium in the media resulting from fetal calf serum—was investigated. Commercially available calcium‐free medium (modified α‐MEM) was tested in comparison with media with varied calcium ion concentrations (0.9, 1.8, and 3.6 mM), or strontium ion concentration (0.4, 0.9, 1.8, and 3.6 mM). In case of calcium, higher concentrations cause increased proliferation, while differentiation was shifted to earlier points of time. Differentiation was increased by solely strontium ions only at 0.4–0.9 mM, while proliferation was highest for 0.9–1.8 mM. From these results, it can be concluded that strontium is able to compensate a lack of calcium to a certain degree. Thus, in contrast to calcium ion release, a strontium ion release from bone substitute materials might be applicable for stimulation of bone regeneration without influencing the media saturation. Moderate Sr2+ concentrations (0.4–0.9 mM) cause optimal differentiation. Low Sr2+ shows slow differentiation (but high values). Serious increase of dystrophic mineral precipitation in α MEM with 3.6 mM calcium. No dystrophic mineral precipitation in strontium containing medium [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collagen and noncollagenous proteins of the extracellular bone matrix are able to stimulate bone cell activities and bone healing. The modification of calcium phosphate bone cements used as temporary bone replacement materials with these proteins seems to be a promising approach to accelerate new bone formation. In this study, we investigated adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) on Biocement D/collagen composites which have been modified with osteocalcin and O-phospho-L-serine. Modification with osteocalcin was carried out by its addition to the cement precursor before setting as well as by functionalization of the cement samples after setting and sterilization. hBMSC were cultured on these samples for 28 days with and without osteogenic supplements. We found a positive impact especially of the phosphoserine-modifications but also of both osteocalcin-modifications on differentiation of hBMSC indicated by higher expression of the osteoblastic markers matrix metalloproteinase-13 and bone sialo protein II. For hBMSC cultured on phosphoserine-containing composites, an increased proliferation has been observed. However, in case of the osteocalcin-modified samples, only osteocalcin adsorbed after setting and sterilization of the cement samples was able to promote initial adhesion and proliferation of hBMSC. The addition of osteocalcin before setting results in a finer microstructure but the biological activity of osteocalcin might be impaired due to the sterilization process. Thus, our data indicate that the initial adhesion and proliferation of hBMSC is enhanced rather by the biological activity of osteocalcin than by the finer microstructure., ((c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)