J Korean Soc Menopause.  2011 Aug;17(2):81-87.

Barium Stimulates the Expression of Osteogenic Genes in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Osteoblasts in vitro

• Ahn KH
• Jung SE
• Yi KW
• Park HT
• Shin JH
• Kim YT
• Hur JY
• Kim SH
• Kim T

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of barium on gene expression in differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts in vitro.
METHODS
Human bone marrow stem cells were cultured for 0~14 days in osteogenic differentiation medium with strontium chloride (SrCl2) and barium chloride (BaCl2). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity staining was the method selected for measuring osteoblast differentiation. Total ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days, and analysis of runt-related transcription factor 2/core-binding factor alpha 1 (Runx2/Cbfa1), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene expression was performed by real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
RESULTS
Barium and strontium had a superior enhancing effect on cell proliferation when compared to cells cultured in media without strontium or barium. BaCl2 produced a 2-fold increase in the expression of Runx2/Cbfa1 at 14 days. SrCl2 (0.1~0.3 mM) produced a 2-fold increase in the expression of Runx2/Cbfa1 at 14 days. Barium produced a 1.5-fold increase in the expression of BMP-2 on days 1 or 3. Expression of BSP was increased 1.5~1.7- and 2-fold on days 1 and 14 by barium and strontium, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Barium-like strontium is considered one of the important factors in inducing mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts with further enhancement on bone formation.

Keyword

Barium; Gene expression; Osteoblast

MeSH Terms

Alkaline Phosphatase
Barium
Barium Compounds
Bone Marrow
Cell Proliferation
Chlorides
Durapatite
Gene Expression
Humans
Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Osteoblasts
Osteogenesis
RNA
RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
Stem Cells
Strontium
Transcription Factors
Alkaline Phosphatase
Barium
Barium Compounds
Chlorides
Durapatite
Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein
RNA
RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
Strontium
Transcription Factors