Oxygen consumption, acidification and migration capacity of human primary osteoblasts within a three-dimensional tantalum scaffold.

A major clinical problem within synthetic, large-scaled scaffolds is the insufficient nutrient supply resulting in inhomogeneous cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to analyse pH value, oxygen consumption and migration of human osteoblasts within a 3D tantalum scaffold, clinically used for larger bone defects. After 24 h the oxygen concentration within the scaffold decreased significantly and remained low during incubation. Monitoring of the pH value inside the tantalum scaffold showed a slightly acidification under static culture conditions. However, cell migration within the 3D scaffold was detected. Hence, in clinical application it can be assumed that porous tantalum scaffolds can be settled by osteoblasts under critical oxygen and nutrient supply. In general, monitoring of cell migration, oxygen consumption and acidification can be a suitable instrument for creating advanced 3D bone scaffolds.