Zinc as an Essential Trace Element in the Acceleration of Matrix Vesicles-Mediated Mineral Deposition

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) has a potent stimulatory effect on osteoblastic bone formation and an inhibitory effect on osteoclastic bone resorption. PURPOSE: The effect of Zn on the function of matrix vesicles (MVs) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Zn on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblasts and in the initial biological MVs-mediated mineral deposition. STUDY DESIGN: Osteoblasts were treated with varying concentrations of Zn dissolved in culture medium. After three, five, and seven days of culture, ALP activity was assayed. For the detection of a low level of calcium concentration in MVs, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses were applied. The effect of Zn for the transformation of calcium phosphate was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) system. RESULTS: The ALP activity of osteoblasts in culture medium supplemented with 1 x 10(-5) M of Zn was significantly increased at both five and seven days. XRF data demonstrated higher levels of calcium concentration over time in the Zn-supplemented group. EDX data showed that mineral deposits beginning on day 3 were transformed from whitlockite to calcium phosphate near hydroxyapatite, and that Zn accelerated this transformation. CONCLUSIONS: The proper concentration of Zn increased the ALP activity of osteoblasts after five and seven days of incubation. The present XRF and EDX data suggest that the increase of mineral deposition with Zn exposure for one to five days might be mediated by the activation of ALP and calcium-binding proteins. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74: 1161-1165, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.