Effect of NO donor, nitrosocompound-18 on proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts

Objective To investigate the effect of an NO donor, nitrosocompound-18(NOC-18) on the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts in vitro. Methods Osteoblasts were isolated from the calvariae of new-born SD rats by combined means of enzymatic digestion and bone tissue block, and cultured with alpha-modified MEM. Different concentrations of NOC-18 were added to rat osteoblasts and incubated for 72 hours. Cell proliferation was measured by the tetrazolium salt test (MTT), as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was assayed. The expression of type I collagen was analyzed with immunohistochemical stain. Results NOC-18 increased the osteoblastic proliferation significantly and enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of type I collagen in rat osteoblasts. Conclusions The fitting concentration of NOC-18 can promote bone formation by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. And this could become a new preventive and therapeutic avenue for osteoporosis.