Abstract
BackgroundAn osteon consists of a multi-layered bone matrix and interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar–canalicular system. Loading-induced interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar–canalicular system is critical for osteocyte mechanotransduction and bone remodelling.MethodsTo investigate the effects of the lamellar structure and heterogeneous material properties of the osteon on the distributions of interstitial fluid flow and seepage velocity, an osteon is idealized as a hollow two-dimensional poroelastic multi-layered slab model subjected to cyclic loading. Based on poroelastic theory, the analytical solutions of interstitial fluid pressure and seepage velocity in lacunar–canalicular pores were obtained.ResultsThe results show that strain magnitude has a greater influence on interstitial fluid pressure than loading frequency. Interestingly, the heterogeneous distribution of permeability produces remarkable variations in interstitial fluid pressure and seepage velocity in the cross-section of cortical bone. In addition, interstitial fluid flow stimuli to osteocytes are mostly controlled by the value of permeability at the surface of the osteon rather than at the inner wall of the osteon.ConclusionInterstitial fluid flow induced by cycling loading stimuli to an osteocyte housed in a lacunar–canalicular pore is not only correlated with strain amplitude and loading frequency, but also closely correlated with the spatial gradient distribution of permeability. This model can help us better understand the fluid flow stimuli to osteocytes during bone remodelling.
Highlights
An osteon consists of a multi-layered bone matrix and interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar–canalicular system
We can conclude that at this loading frequency, interstitial fluid pressure varies in amplitude mostly for different strain amplitudes, and the larger the value of the strain amplitude is, the stronger the attractive effect of strain amplitude on the interstitial fluid pressure in all three cases
The variation in interstitial fluid pressure p with respect to Effect of strain amplitude on seepage velocity In bone materials, the seepage velocity is closely associated with the mechanical stimuli to osteocytes during the bone remodelling process
Summary
An osteon consists of a multi-layered bone matrix and interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar–canalicular system. Bone is a poroelastic material often subject to physiological cyclic loadings that arise from walking, running, or other daily activities [1, 2]. These activities can cause the interstitial fluid flow in bone, which is believed to initiate a mechanical response in osteocytes for bone remodelling [2,3,4,5,6]. The role of properties such as permeability in fluid flows inside the osteon is widely studied, the effect of spatial gradient distribution of properties on mechanical stimuli during bone remodeling remains unclear
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