Extractable bone morphogenetic protein and correlation with induced new bone formation in an in vivo assay in the athymic mouse model.

A correlation between extractable bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and osteoinduction has been suggested. Extractable BMP-4 and osteoinductivity of DBM from 40 donors were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and in vivo athymic mouse assay, respectively. Extractable BMP-4 level averaged 3.7 +/- 0.21 ng/g of DBM and correlated with osteoinductivity of the DBM in an in vivo assessment of induced newbone formation.