Effects of pyrite bioleaching solution of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on viability, differentiation and mineralization potentials of rat osteoblasts

Iron pyrite, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, has a poor solubility, bioavailability, and patient compliance due to a high dose required and associated side effects, all of which have limited its clinical applications and experimental studies on its action mechanisms in improving fracture healing. This study investigated Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A.f)-bioleaching of two kinds of pyrites and examined bioactivities of the derived solutions in viability and osteogenic differentiation in rat calvarial osteoblasts. A.f bioleaching improved element contents (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Se) in the derived solutions and the solutions concentration-dependently affected osteoblast viability and differentiation. While the solutions had no effects at low concentrations and inhibited the osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at high concentrations, they improved ALP activity at their optimal concentrations. The improved osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic function at optimal concentrations were also revealed by levels of ALP cytochemical staining, calcium deposition, numbers and areas of mineralized nodules formed, mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (osteocalcin, Bmp-2, Runx-2, and IGF-1), and Runx-2 nuclear translocation. Data from this study will be useful in offering new strategies for improving pyrite bioavailability and providing a mechanistic explanation for the beneficial effects of pyrite in improving bone healing.