The effect of glucose on osteoblast differentiation
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Citation
Abstract
Diabetic or hyperglycemic patients have an increased propensity towards fracture and the skeletal healing process is highly ineffective with delayed healing or non-unions. This is attributed to the accumulation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) on proteins due to a glycosylation reaction that occurs when greater levels of sugars are present. The subsequent stress caused by the AGEs results in an improper osteoblast differentiation that leads to higher susceptibility to osteopenia and bone fracture. The periosteum is the most important source of progenitor skeletal cells because the cells contained here are the ones that have the most potential to differentiate into chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Thus, the layer of connective tissue that the periosteum provides is a necessary part of an effective fracture healing process. Much research has been conducted regarding the bone-marrow derived cells and their role in the skeletal repair process and osteogenesis for diabetic patients. However, mechanisms regarding the effect of diabetes and hyperglycemia on the periosteum and its role in assisting with bone regeneration as well as the role of AGEs in the progenitor stem cells involved in fracture repair have yet to be elucidated. Therefore, the primary objective of this thesis to determine the effect of glucose on osteoblast differentiation using three sources of progenitor cells: the periosteum, the bone marrow and muscle tissue.