# FACTORS AFFECTING STREAMING POTENTIALS IN LIVING BONE

> **NIH NIH R01** · NYSDOH/HEALTH RESEARCH, INC. · 1990 · $153,688

## Abstract

The nature of the signal that controls stress induced remodeling
activity of bone remains unknown despite extensive investigations
during recent years.  Among the mechanisms proposed, fluid flow in
bone is thought by many investigators to be a key factor that may
affect cells directly by pressure or nutritional effects, or
Indirectly by production of stress generated potentials (SGPs) via
the electrokinetic phenomenon known as streaming.  Although several
investigators have studied behavior of fluids in stressed bone in
vitro, and streaming potentials are thought to originate in bone
porosity in the size range of 200-800A, little is known of the role
of the intracortical vasculature or of other structural, biological
or biochemical factors which may modulate fluid flow and SGPs in
vivo.  Our goal is to define these factors as a step toward
predicting the electromechanical micro-environment of cells in
stressed bone in vivo, and determining the biologic significance
of SGPs with reference to bone remodeling in normal and disease
states.  In Phase 1 of the project, we will measure SGPs in vitro
as a function of frequency (0.1-40Hz) in relation to thickness,
permeability, and porosity of a bone sample that is progressively
thinned.  Results will indicate how intracortical vascular channels
affect the relaxation of fluid flow and SGPs, and will aid in
development of predictive models.  In Phase II, we will accomplish
a unique quantitative study on living canine bone in which SGPs
will be generated (0.4-40 Hz) in the tibia of each anesthetized
animal by a specially designed servohydraulic loading system
coupled directly to the bone.  All SGP recording will employ a new
type of Ag.AgCl electrode of our own design that  permits data
acquisition from a circumscribed and identifiable site and greatly
improves repeatability.  Thus, measurements in vivo will be
followed by sequential measurements from the same site in vitro,
and the results will be correlated with mechanical strain,
permeability and histomorphometric data on the same location.
Using the in vivo preparation, we shall determine first how
physical chemical changes may cause SGPs In vitro to differ from
those measured in vivo in order to relate the background of
existing in vitro studies to physiological conditions.  Following
this, we shall investigate additional factors such as structural
changes in vasculature, electrolyte composition, and biochemical
agents which may alter fluid flow or the zeta potential, thus
modulating SGPs and the cell environment in living bone during
dynamic mechanical stress.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3159717
- **Project number:** 5R01AR039574-03
- **Recipient organization:** NYSDOH/HEALTH RESEARCH, INC.
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G9H6SUM59YC4
- **Principal Investigator:** GEORGE V COCHRAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $153,688
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-08-01 → 1993-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3159717

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3159717, FACTORS AFFECTING STREAMING POTENTIALS IN LIVING BONE (5R01AR039574-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3159717. Licensed CC0.

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