We have developed a method to promote longitudinal bone growth at the level of a specific growth-plate (GP) in young rabbits. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was continuously infused by means of an osmotic pump into the bone marrow cavity of the proximal epiphysis of the tibia. Radiological measurement showed a 2-mm overgrowth of the tibia after 4 weeks of treatment, while histological analysis demonstrated a 15% increase in the thickness of the selected GP. The local infusion of IGF-I increased the numbers of both proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes and promoted hyperplasia of bony trabeculae within the epiphysis. The distribution of material infused locally into the epiphysis was simulated by the infusion of Indian ink using the same methodology (osmotic pump) as that for IGF-I. Most of the dye remained within the bone marrow cavity of the epiphysis, but a portion infiltrated into the GP, reaching the deep layer of the physeal chondrocytes and primary spongiosa of the metaphysis. These results suggest that the method reported here is a valid one for delivering cytokines or growth factors to the selected GP and for controlling the growth and differentiation of physeal chondrocytes.
In this review, we focus on findings obtained with biophysic techniques, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and phosphorus-31 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (31P solid-state NMR) spectroscopy, which may allow us to evaluate bone quality and to predict bone strength. FTIR measures the absorption energy that produces an increase in the vibrational or rotational energy of atoms or groups of atoms within the molecule. FTIR spectroscopy allows us to examine the relative amount of minerals and matrix content and the arrangement of apatite and organic matrix. FTIR spectroscopy should become an important tool, because the relative amount of minerals and the arrangement of apatite and organic matrix could be a measure for evaluating bone quality. 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy is useful for evaluating the quality of bone and predicting bone strength by calculating the spine-lattice relaxation time (T1) of bone. 31P solid-state NMR imaging can be used to measure quantitatively the mass of hydroxyapatite. The T1 relaxation time of both bone and deficient hydroxyapatite was much longer than that of pure hydroxyapatite. T1 relaxation time is one of the promising indices of bone quality.
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