Mechanical stress as a stimulant to the production of osteocalcin in osteoblast-like cells.

Abstract

When mechanical stress is applied, osteoblasts have shown to produce bone turnover stimulating hormones and enzymes like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclic AMP, alkaline phosphatase, and collagenase. Osteocalcin (bone Gla protein) is also a protein produced by osteoblasts to control bone metabolism. Thus, its production may also be stimulated by mechanical stress. The purpose of this investigation was to test if mechanical stress stimulates osteoblast-like cells to produce osteocalcin in vitro. The results suggest that osteocalcin production is stimulated at the initial stage of the culture by cyclic tension and relaxation force, and secretion may decrease with time.