Putamen Ovi enhances biomineral formation of osteoblasts in vitro

A B S T R A C T After the age of 30, quantity and quality of bone decline, resulting in an increase in the risk of bone fracture. The bone loss can be slowed down or even prevented by hormone replacement, medications like alendronate or calcitonin that suppress osteoclast activity. This study investigated the effect of these medications and of putamen ovi (PO) on the osteoblastic function. PO, a specially processed matrix of the chicken eggshell, was compared with alendronate, calcitonin, estradiol, and calcium carbonate. Proliferation, expression of bone matrix proteins, and biomineral formation of primary osteoblast stimulated by the different medications were characterized. Scanning electron microscopy and electron diffraction pattern validated apatite biomineral formation. Cell proliferation and the concentration of bound calcium were found to be not significantly different with estradiol, alendronate, and calcitonin. Proliferation of PO-stimulated cells was significantly higher than in the control-culture. After one week a marked increase in proliferation was seen with the addition of PO. The application of PO alone and the combination of estradiol together with CaCO3 led to a significant increase of osteoblastic function (osteoblast-proliferation and increased biomineralization). Future in vivo studies should be conducted to evaluate the clinical impact of PO on patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia.