Aluminum inhibits bone nodule formation and calcification in vitro.

Cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvariae can be induced to form mineralized nodules after exposure to ascorbic acid and beta-glycerophosphate. To determine whether aluminum inhibits nodule formation and subsequent mineralization, cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvariae were induced to form nodules and incubated with increasing concentrations of aluminum (10(-7) to 10(-5) M). Compared with control and 10(-7) M aluminum-supplemented cultures, the number of nodules formed and the number of nodules calcified were reduced in cells incubated with 10(-6) and 10(-5) M aluminum. The cumulative net calcium uptake into the nodules and their final calcium content were also decreased with 10(-6) and 10(-5) M aluminum. After 10 and 18 days of incubation, aluminum did not affect DNA synthesis or release of alkaline phosphatase but significantly inhibited collagen production. Thus aluminum induced a dose-dependent inhibition of nodule formation and calcification that may be related to its inhibition of collagen production.