Heat induced collagen denaturation and its effects on bone mechanical integrity

The present study was performed to examine the effect of collagen denaturation on bone mechanical integrity. To introduce varied degrees of collagen denaturation in situ, bone specimens were heated at temperatures lower, at, and beyond the denaturing temperature of calcified collagen (160/spl deg/C). Three point bending tests were performed to assess the mechanical integrity of the bone specimens. The heat-induced collagen denaturation was quantified using a selective digestion technique. The results of this study indicate that in situ denaturation of collagen molecules induced by heating has a significant impact on the strength and toughness, but little effect on the stiffness of bone. This finding experimentally supports the speculation that mineral imparts stiffness to bone, whereas the collagen network sustains its toughness and strength.