• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.629-636
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• 2009

Mechanical stimulation is known to play a vital role on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pre-osteoblasts. In this research, we developed a tensile cell stimulator, composed of a DC motor-driven actuator and LVDT sensor for measuring linear displacement, to study the effects of tensile stress on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. First, we demonstrated the reliability of this device by showing the uniform strain field in the silicon substrate. Secondly, we investigated the effects of tensile stretching on osteogenic differentiation. We imposed a pre-set cyclic strain at a fixed frequency on cell monolayer cultured on a flexible silicon substrate while varying its amplitude and duration. 60 min of resting period was allowed between 30 min of cyclic stretching and this cycle is repeated up to 7 days. Under the combined stimulation with osteogenic media and mechanical stretching, the osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osterix, and osteopontin began to get expressed as early as 4 days of stimulation, which is much shorter than what is typically required for osteogenic media induced differentiation. Moreover, different markers were induced at different magnitudes of the applied strains. Lastly, for the case of ALP, we observed the antagonistic effects of osteogenic media when combined with mechanical stretching.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2009

The aim of this research was to prepare microparticulate systems based on poly (lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) for the local release of ipriflavone in order to reduce bone loss. We developed the IP loaded PLGA microspheres using relatively simple oil-in-water(O/W) solvent evaporation method. HPLC was used to perform the in vitro release test of IP and morphology of cell attached on the micro-spheres was investigated using SEM. Cytotoxicity was assayed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test. Osteogenic differential cells were analyzed by ALP activity. Through RT-PCR analysis, we observed osteocalcin, ALP, and Type I collagen mRNA expression. The release of IP in vitro was more prolonged over 42 days and IP/PLGA microspheres showed the improvement on the cell proliferation, ALP activity and RT-PCR comparing with control (only PLGA). This initial research will be used to direct future work involved in developing this composite injectable bone tissue engineering system.