Age-related changes in biological characteristics of human alveolar osteoblasts

Objectives: Age-related changes are common in many tissues and organs. However, cell-related causes in human alveolar bone remain unclear. This study has been carried out to explore the possibility that advancing age might change the biological characteristics of alveolar osteoblasts (AOBs) in women. Materials and methods: Alveolar osteoblasts from women donors (five women aged 33–38 years and five women aged 62–68 years) were cultured in vitro. The cells were serially passaged and maximal lifespan evaluated. Cell viability, ultramicrostructure and osteogenic differentiation ability were determined respectively, using MTT assay, transmission electron microscopy, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and von Kossa staining assay. These parameters of the two groups of AOBs were evaluated. Results: When compared with cells from young adult donors, AOBs from elderly women exhibited lower maximal lifespan (P