Resorption pattern of a porcine-derived bone substitute

Background Resorption of a graft material could be a relevant issue to drive the choice of a surgeon for the selection of the best clinical option to fulfil the needs of a given clinical situation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro formation, adhesion and morphology of human osteoclasts (OCLs) generated on a porcine-derived bone substitute (OsteoBiol Apatos Sp- Block, Tecnoss, Coazze (TO), Italy). Materials and Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were used to generate OCLs in vitro in the presence of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) on bovine bone (positive control) and porcine bone slices. Morphological and biochemical methods were used to assess OCLs formation and activity. Results Cells generated after 21 days of culture on the porcine bone substitute showed morphologic features resembling those on the positive control and displayed typical OCL markers. These findings indicate that the porcine-derived biomaterial supported OCL formation. With regard to the resorption, on porcine bone OCLs formed smaller discontinuous lacunae. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the porcinederived bone substitute undergoes a cell-mediated resorption process.