Journal of Biological Research (Jan 2009)

"In vivo" physiological experiments in simulated microgravity conditions on rat bon marrow cells mineralization

  • A. Saba,
  • G. Pani,
  • G. Galleri,
  • M.A. Meloni,
  • P. Pippia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/jbr.2009.4699
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 82, no. 1

Abstract

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The main goal of this research is to further contribute to the validation of the clinostat Random Positioning Machine (RPM) for "in vivo" experiments by studying bone marrow cells mineralization in the rat. These cells were obtained from the bone shafts of the femora and cultured for 13 days. The production of calcified matrix was analyzed by Alizarin Red staining demostrating that calcium deposition was significantly decreased in RPM samples. Moreover, we demostrated what Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, a marker of osteoblastic phenotype, is down regulate by simulated microgravity. Also in vitro experiments in coltured osteoblasts (first subcolture) exposed to RPM for 9 days confirm a strongly decreased mineralization and differentiation.

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