Fifty-Hertz electromagnetic fields facilitate the induction of rat bone mesenchymal stromal cells to differentiate into functional neurons.

Cytotherapy · 2013 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4614

Study snapshot

PublicationCytotherapy · 2013

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND AIMS: Research results have shown that bone mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) can different into neural cells. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) play a role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, but the mechanisms behind this are unknown. In the present study, we explored the efficacy of EMF on the induction of rat BMSC differentiation into neurons in vitro. METHODS: First, rat BMSC were induced in a nerve cell culture environment and divided into three groups: an EMF induction treatment group (frequency of 50 Hz, magnetic induction of 5 mT, 60 min per day for 12 days), an induction-only group and a control group. Second, we observed cell phenotypes in a confocal microscope, tested gene expression through the use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and detected postsynaptic currents by means of a cell patch-clamp. We analyzed the cell cycles and the portion of cells expressing neural cell markers with the use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results indicated that EMF can facilitate BMSC differentiation into neural cells, which expressed neuronal-specific markers and genes; they formed synaptic junctions and pulsed excitatory postsynaptic currents. At the same time, the G0-G1 phase ratio recorded by means of flow cytometry gradually decreased under the EMF treatment, whereas there was an increase of S-phase ratio, and the portion of cells expressing neuronal-specific markers increased. CONCLUSIONS: Given that a noninvasive treatment of 50-Hz EMF could significantly facilitate BMSC to differentiate into functional neurons, EMF appears to be a promising clinical option for stem cell transplantation therapies to combat central nervous system diseases.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationRat bone mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 60 min/day for 12 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an in vitro induction environment, exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (5 mT, 60 min/day for 12 days) facilitated rat BMSC differentiation into neural cells/functional neurons, including increased neuronal marker expression and evidence of synaptic junctions and excitatory postsynaptic currents. Under EMF treatment, the G0-G1 phase ratio decreased while the S-phase ratio and the proportion of cells expressing neuronal-specific markers increased.

Outcomes measured

BMSC differentiation into neural cells/neurons
Expression of neuronal-specific markers and genes (RT-PCR; flow cytometry)
Cell phenotype (confocal microscopy)
Synaptic junction formation
Excitatory postsynaptic currents (patch-clamp)
Cell cycle phase distribution (G0-G1 and S-phase ratios)

Limitations

In vitro study (cell culture), not in vivo or clinical
Sample size not reported in the provided abstract
Mechanisms described as unknown in background; mechanistic conclusions not established in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "60 min/day for 12 days"
  },
  "population": "Rat bone mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "BMSC differentiation into neural cells/neurons",
    "Expression of neuronal-specific markers and genes (RT-PCR; flow cytometry)",
    "Cell phenotype (confocal microscopy)",
    "Synaptic junction formation",
    "Excitatory postsynaptic currents (patch-clamp)",
    "Cell cycle phase distribution (G0-G1 and S-phase ratios)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an in vitro induction environment, exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (5 mT, 60 min/day for 12 days) facilitated rat BMSC differentiation into neural cells/functional neurons, including increased neuronal marker expression and evidence of synaptic junctions and excitatory postsynaptic currents. Under EMF treatment, the G0-G1 phase ratio decreased while the S-phase ratio and the proportion of cells expressing neuronal-specific markers increased.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (cell culture), not in vivo or clinical",
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract",
    "Mechanisms described as unknown in background; mechanistic conclusions not established in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "50 Hz",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "magnetic induction",
    "5 mT",
    "bone mesenchymal stromal cells",
    "BMSC",
    "neuronal differentiation",
    "neural markers",
    "synaptic junctions",
    "postsynaptic currents",
    "patch-clamp",
    "flow cytometry",
    "cell cycle",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.03.001
PubMed: 23602580

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