The Osteo-inductive Properties of Bone Matrix from Rats Pretreated with Indomethacin

Abstract

Decalcified bone matrix pieces were prepared from growing rats treated for 3 weeks with subcutaneous injections of indomethacin 2 mg/kg/day or saline, and implanted into growing rats. Of the 16 recipients with ‘saline implants’, 8 received saline and another 8 indomethacin 2 mg/kg/day in subcutaneous injections. In another 16 recipients with ‘indomethacin implants’, 8 received saline and 8 indomethacin. As in previous studies, it was found that indomethacin exerted a mild inhibition of new bone formation expressed as decreased amount of ash weight in implants. The amount of ash weight and ⁴⁵Ca specific activity of implants in recipients with implants from indomethacin-treated donor anmials was not altered. These findings indicate that indomethacin is unable to modify the osteo-inductive properties of bone matrix.