Effect of mechanical stress on bone formation by osteoconductive octacalcium phosphate bone substitute materials

It is known that bone remodeling process advances under the control of mechanical stress in the body. Synthetic biomaterials, such as hydroxyapatite, are widely used to repair various bone defects. Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and the related materials are bioactive and bioresorbable materials (Suzuki O. Jpn Dent Sci Rev 49: 58, 2013). The OCP materials show an osteoconductivity if implanted in various bone tissues. However, the resorption of the materials is enhanced under load bearing conditions, which is restored again if the assumed mechanical stress is alleviated. The effect of the mechanical stress on the biomaterial implantation condition was simulated using a culture device, which utilizes deformation of PDMS membrane deformation (Masuda T et al. J Biotechnol 133: 231, 2008), by analyzing bone tissue related cells, including osteoblasts. It is likely that the bone regeneration with the biomaterials could be controlled depending on the extent of the mechanical stress.