Microhardness evaluation of non enzymatically glycated bovine femur cortical bone

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate deterioration in mechanical integrity of the collagen network of bovine bone formed by non-enzymatic glycation (NEG), a process that mimics aging by microindentation technique. Methods: Young and old bovine cortical bone specimens were rested in solutions for four weeks for the process of NEG and were grouped as ribosylated and non-ribosylated. A series of indentations were made on bone specimens weekly for each of 3-masses of 50 g, 100 g and 200 g for 10 s to detect the effect of indentation load and for each of five durations of 5 s, 10 s, 20 s, 30 s for 100 g to study the effect of indentation duration. The applied load was increased to 300 g, 500 g, 1000 g and 2000 g for 10 s to be able to make microcracks. Specimens were tested in the wet and dry state to study the effects of hydration on microhardness measurement. Results: Loads of 50 g, 100 g and 200 g for 10 s were able to differ ribosylated bone from non-ribosylated bone for the young and old bovine bones. Microhardness values increased with increasing incubation period. Microhardness of dry specimens were found to be statistically higher than that of wet specimens. Presence of extrinsic toughening mechanisms including crack bridging due to uncracked ligaments and collagen fibers were directly observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Ribosylated bone was found to have lower number of collagen bridging compared to non-ribosylated bovine bone. Conclusion: Microhardness test by these are able to discriminate non-modified collagen structure from modified collagen. On the other hand, it is found that microindentation was not able to discriminate the degree of NEG. © 2015 World Scientific Publishing Company.