Effect of Copper on Levels of Collagen and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity from Chondrocytes in Newborn Piglets In Vitro

The effects of different concentrations of copper on collagen content and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity from chondrocytes in newborn piglets were measured. Chondrocytes were cultured in media containing 15% fetal calf serum supplemented with 0, 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper in a 12-well culture plate. Collagen content and AKP activity from the chondrocyte extracellular matrix increased significantly in the culture media with 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper and was the highest at 31.2 μmol/L copper (P < 0.05). Thus, the results indicated that copper could promote AKP activity and collagen production by chondrocytes.