Objective: To investigate the osteogenesis characteristics of cultured rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under bone induction condition.
Methods: MSCs were isolated from adult rat by using density gradient separation method. The osteogenic inducers were compounds of Dexone, beta-glycerophosphate sodium and vitamin C.
Results: The MSC attachment formed soon after the seeding and grew into colonies with the appearance of fibroblastic cells. The osteogenic inducer with low dose of Dexone could promote the osteogenic differentiation of MSC. In the group of osteogenic inducer with low dose of Dexone, the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was remarkably increased after one week's induction, and the number of positive cells was (15.1 +/- 2.6), significantly higher than that of the control group (12.0 +/- 3.5) (P < 0.01). The calcified deposits began to appear in the group of osteogenic inducer with low dose of Dexone after one week's induction and was increased remarkably after three weeks, and the number of calcified deposits was (9.0 +/- 1.7), significantly higher than that of the control group (2.0 +/- 1.8) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: MSC can differentiate into osteogenesis by osteogenic induction and may be used to provide seed cells for bone tissue engineering.