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Effects of electromagnetic fields on the metabolism of lubricin of rat chondrocytes.

Connective tissue research · 2016 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4726

Exposure to 75 Hz, 2.3 mT sinusoidal EMFs promoted lubricin synthesis in rat chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner and enhanced TGF-β1 expression. Smad2 synthesis was higher in EMF-exposed conditions than controls, while Smad6 and Smad7 were not affected; t…

Study snapshot

PublicationConnective tissue research · 2016
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can improve pain, stiffness and physical function in osteoarthritis (OA) patients and have been proposed for the treatment of OA. However, the precise mechanisms involved in this process are still not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of exposure for different durations with 75 Hz, 2.3 mT sinusoidal EMFs (SEMFs) on the metabolism of lubricin of rat chondrocytes cultured in vitro. Our results showed that SEMFs exposure promoted lubricin synthesis in a time-dependent manner, and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was also enhanced after SEMFs treatment. The up-regulation effect of the expression of lubricin under SEMF was partly reduced by SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF-RI kinase. The Smad pathway was also investigated in our study. Smad2 synthesis was higher in EMF-exposed condition than in controls, whereas no effects were observed on inhibitory Smads (Smad6 and Smad7) production. Altogether, these data suggest that SEMF exposure can promote lubricin synthesis of rat chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner and that the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway plays a partial role.

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 directionbenefit
PopulationRat chondrocytes cultured in vitro
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 7.5e-05 MHz · different durations (not specified)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 75 Hz, 2.3 mT sinusoidal EMFs promoted lubricin synthesis in rat chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner and enhanced TGF-β1 expression. Smad2 synthesis was higher in EMF-exposed conditions than controls, while Smad6 and Smad7 were not affected; the lubricin up-regulation was partly reduced by the TGF-RI kinase inhibitor SB431542.

Outcomes measured

  • Lubricin synthesis/metabolism
  • TGF-β1 expression
  • Smad2 synthesis
  • Smad6 production
  • Smad7 production
  • Effect of TGF-RI kinase inhibitor SB431542 on lubricin up-regulation

Limitations

  • In vitro rat chondrocyte model; findings may not translate to humans or in vivo osteoarthritis
  • Exposure durations are not specified in the abstract
  • Sample size and replication details are not provided in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 7.5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "different durations (not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Rat chondrocytes cultured in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Lubricin synthesis/metabolism",
    "TGF-β1 expression",
    "Smad2 synthesis",
    "Smad6 production",
    "Smad7 production",
    "Effect of TGF-RI kinase inhibitor SB431542 on lubricin up-regulation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 75 Hz, 2.3 mT sinusoidal EMFs promoted lubricin synthesis in rat chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner and enhanced TGF-β1 expression. Smad2 synthesis was higher in EMF-exposed conditions than controls, while Smad6 and Smad7 were not affected; the lubricin up-regulation was partly reduced by the TGF-RI kinase inhibitor SB431542.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro rat chondrocyte model; findings may not translate to humans or in vivo osteoarthritis",
    "Exposure durations are not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details are not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "sinusoidal EMF",
    "ELF",
    "75 Hz",
    "2.3 mT",
    "rat chondrocytes",
    "lubricin",
    "osteoarthritis",
    "TGF-β1",
    "Smad2",
    "Smad6",
    "Smad7",
    "SB431542",
    "TGF-β/Smads signaling"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/03008207.2015.1121249
PubMed: 26631347

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