An initial assessment of the biocompatibility of crab shell for bone tissue engineering

There is a kinship that exists among biologically derived hard tissues. This inter-relatedness is expressed via comparable mechanisms for organic matrix organization and biomineralization processes. The ability to use biogenic hard tissues such as coral and nacre in augmentation of damaged bone tissue further attests to the unique bonds which are shared by hard tissues in nature. Crab shell cuticle is another candidate material for enhancing the healing and remodeling of bone. A comparison of the unique chemical and physical characteristics of bone and crab shell with a focus on the respective organic matrices and mineral phases serves as the focus for this study of crushed crab shell as an osteogenic material. L929 murine fibroblasts were used to assess the initial biocompatibility of crab shell granules. Short term subcutaneous implantation of demineralized crab shell granules in the abdominal region of 28 day old Sprague–Dawley rats resulted in a high level of localized monocyte and macrophage like cells that digested the shell granules in a manner reminiscent of osteoclasts. The presence of early stage collagen fiber bundles with interspersed mineral crystals within the first week suggests that crab shell exhibits osteogenic properties.