Pericellular flow of extravascular fluid is a likely potential mechanism for electro-mechano-chemical transduction in bone. Innovative tracer and flow visualization methods allow for the study of mechanical load-induced fluid flow and mass transport through tissue. By applying these methods in in vitro and in vivo experimental models, mechanical loading has been shown to drive fluid flow through bone. Furthermore, fluid displacements resulting from mechanical loading enhance molecular transport from the blood supply to the osteocytes, thus playing an important role in osteocyte viability. These cellular effects have profound implications for bone physiology. Based on computational models, flow patterns are predicted and convection-enhanced mass transport is simulated through bone subjected to physiologic mechanical loads. Such model predictions help in interpretation of experimental data to explicate the relationship between mechanical loading parameters, fluid dynamics, and mass transport in bone. These concepts enhance our understanding of the clinical implications of fluid flow and mass transport in health and disease.
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