Nucleation of Strontium-Substituted Apatite

Strontium plays an important role in the treatment of osteoporosis, but the detailed chemistry is still in doubt. In particular, the effect of strontium on the stability of natural bone is not well understood. To simulate the context of strontium intake as a drug, simulated body fluid solution containing various strontium concentrations [Sr] was seeded with biological apatite. No significant incorporation of strontium in the resulting apatite was detected for [Sr] < 0.1 mM, but crystal morphology changed dramatically and crystallinity increased for [Sr] ≥ 0.3 mM due to the formation of strontium-substituted apatite, with substitution increasing with an increase of solution [Sr].