Induction of endochondral bone by demineralized bone matrix from diabetic rats.

In this investigation we examined the osteoinductive potential of demineralized bone matrix derived from chronically diabetic (streptozotocin-induced) rats. Long-Evans rats (28-31 days) were made diabetic with a single injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and provided food and water ad lib for 2 months. Diaphyseal shafts of femurs and tibias removed from the diabetic rats and their sibling controls were dehydrated, pulverized, sieved to 74-420 micron particles, and demineralized. Matrix was then bioassayed for its ability to induce endochondral bone on day 11 following subcutaneous implantation over the thorax of Long-Evans rats. The resulting plaques of tissue were subjected to histological analysis, determination of alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium content. Bone matrix derived from diabetic animals proved to be a significantly better inducer of endochondral bone than did control matrix.