ObjectiveWe studied the bone metabolism and implant bone contact in diabetic subjects treated with insulin.MethodsDiabetic rat models were established and implanted with titanium implants and insulin treatment. The osteoblasts were cultured in high glucose amounts and treated with insulin.ResultsDiabetes decreased bone formation and mineralization around the rat implants, which were improved by insulin treatment. However, the implant-bone contact in insulin-treated diabetic rats remained less than those in normal rats. Moreover, insulin treatment increased the insulin receptor expression in osteoblasts that have been cultured in high glucose amounts.ConclusionOur Results indicated the role of insulin in osteoblast function in diabetic rats probably through insulin signaling; moreover, insulin mediates bone metabolism and improves bone formation and mineralization in hyperglycemic conditions.
