The Effects of Decellularization on Mechanical Properties of The Bone Using Sonication Method

Introduction: Bone tissue engineering generated implantable bone substitutes for non-healing fractures. Decellularization procedures were utilized to create implantable bone substitutes by removing cellular material and retaining the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, traditional chemical decellularization methods could negatively impact bone mechanical properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sonication-based decellularization on bone mechanical characteristics. Materials and Methods: To decellularize bovine bone, the technology of sonication (20 kHz & 40 kHz) was utilized. The compression test of the bone was then carried out to evaluate the stiffness of the bone samples using the Instron 8874 to investigate the effect of sonication-assisted decellularization on bone mechanical characteristics. The combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Water Contact Angle (WCA) provided important insights into the success of decellularization and its impact on the surface structure and contact angle of decellularized bone. Results: The findings showed that sonication assisted decellularization significantly increased bone mechanical properties, particularly its stiffness. The stiffness of the decellularized bone (754.069 ± 367.580 MPa) group was significantly higher than that of the control bone (176.951 ± 65.272 MPa) group. Additionally, the surface characteristics of the decellularized bone became more hydrophobic by sonication-based decellularization, possibly due to surface lipid residues that may cause the blockage of the bone’s porous surface. Conclusion: The findings of this study may offer insights into potential applications for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, as well as contributes to the development of safer and more effective bone grafts by understanding how this method affects bone tissue