Aim: To study the effects of genistein on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in neonatal rat calvaria cultures.
Methods: Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal rat calvaria through trypsin and collagenase digestion, and cultured in the presence of different doses of genistein (10(-5) mol/L, 10(-6) mol/L and 10(-7) mol/L). The proliferation and DNA and collagen synthesis of osteoblasts were assayed by MTT method and 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation. The activity of ALP were measured by ALP assay kit.
Results: Genistein significantly increased osteoblast 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation and MTT, 10(-6) mol/L genistein increased ALP activity.
Conclusion: Genistein increased osteoblast DNA and collagen synthesis in neonatal rat calvaria cultures, and promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.