Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on human articular chondrocyte proliferation.

Connective tissue research · 2001 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 3886

Study snapshot

PublicationConnective tissue research · 2001

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Low-energy, low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) can induce cell proliferation in several cell culture models. In this work we analysed the proliferative response of human articular chondrocytes, cultured in medium containing 10% FBS, following prolonged exposure to PEMFs (75 Hz, 2.3 mT), currently used in the treatment of some orthopaedic pathologies. In particular, we investigated the dependence of the proliferative effects on the cell density, the availability of growth factors and the exposure lengths. We observed that PEMFs can induce cell proliferation of low density chondrocyte cultures for a long time (6 days), when fresh serum is added again in the culture medium. In the same conditions, in high density cultures, the PEMF-induced increase in cell proliferation was observed only in the first three days of exposure. The data presented in this study show that the availability of growth factors and the environmental constrictions strongly condition the cellular proliferative response to PEMFs.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · prolonged exposure up to 6 days (effects noted over first 3 days in high-density cultures)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human articular chondrocytes exposed to PEMFs (75 Hz, 2.3 mT) showed increased proliferation under certain culture conditions. In low-density cultures, proliferation could be induced for up to 6 days when fresh serum was re-added, whereas in high-density cultures the increase was observed only during the first 3 days. The authors report that growth factor availability and environmental constraints strongly condition the proliferative response.

Outcomes measured

Human articular chondrocyte proliferation
Dependence of proliferative response on cell density
Dependence of proliferative response on growth factor availability (serum)
Dependence of proliferative response on exposure length

Limitations

In vitro cell culture study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes
Proliferative effects depended on culture conditions (cell density, serum/growth factor availability, exposure length), limiting generalizability
Sample size and detailed methods not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "therapeutic PEMF device (orthopaedic use)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "prolonged exposure up to 6 days (effects noted over first 3 days in high-density cultures)"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Human articular chondrocyte proliferation",
    "Dependence of proliferative response on cell density",
    "Dependence of proliferative response on growth factor availability (serum)",
    "Dependence of proliferative response on exposure length"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human articular chondrocytes exposed to PEMFs (75 Hz, 2.3 mT) showed increased proliferation under certain culture conditions. In low-density cultures, proliferation could be induced for up to 6 days when fresh serum was re-added, whereas in high-density cultures the increase was observed only during the first 3 days. The authors report that growth factor availability and environmental constraints strongly condition the proliferative response.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes",
    "Proliferative effects depended on culture conditions (cell density, serum/growth factor availability, exposure length), limiting generalizability",
    "Sample size and detailed methods not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "PEMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "75 Hz",
    "2.3 mT",
    "human articular chondrocytes",
    "cell proliferation",
    "cell density",
    "growth factors",
    "serum"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Uses low-frequency magnetic field exposure parameters, but in a therapeutic in vitro context rather than occupational settings."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3109/03008200109016841
PubMed: 11913771

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