Primary human osteoblasts with reduced alkaline phosphatase and matrix mineralization baseline capacity are responsive to extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field exposure - Clinical implication possible.

Bone reports · 2015 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4758

Study snapshot

PublicationBone reports · 2015

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

For many years electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been used clinically with various settings as an exogenous stimulation method to promote fracture healing. However, underlying mechanisms of action and EMF parameters responsible for certain effects remain unclear. Our aim was to investigate the influence of defined EMFs on human osteoblasts' and osteoclasts' viability and function. Primary human osteoblasts and osteoclasts were treated 3 times weekly for 21 days during their maturation process using the Somagen® device (Sachtleben GmbH, Hamburg, Germany), generating defined extremely low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMFs). Certain ELF-PEMF treatment significantly increased the total protein content (up to 66%), mitochondrial activity (up to 91.1%) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity (up to 129.9%) of human osteoblasts during the entire differentiation process. Furthermore, ELF-PEMF treatment enhanced formation of mineralized matrix (up to 276%). Interestingly, ELF-PEMF dependent induction of AP activity and matrix mineralization was strongly donor dependent - only osteoblasts with a poor initial osteoblast function responded to the ELF-PEMF treatment. As a possible regulatory mechanism, activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was identified. Maturation of osteoclasts from human monocytes was not affected by the ELF-PEMF treatment. In summary the results indicate that a specific ELF-PEMF treatment with the Somagen® device improves viability and maturation of osteoblasts, while osteoclast viability and maturation was not affected. Hence, ELF-PEMF might represent an interesting adjunct to conventional therapy supporting bone formation during fracture healing or even for the treatment of osteoporosis.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationPrimary human osteoblasts and osteoclasts (osteoclasts matured from human monocytes)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 3 times weekly for 21 days during maturation

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Defined ELF-PEMF exposure using the Somagen® device increased osteoblast total protein content, mitochondrial activity, AP activity, and mineralized matrix formation during differentiation, with responses strongly donor-dependent (notably in donors with poor initial osteoblast function). Osteoclast maturation from human monocytes was not affected by ELF-PEMF treatment; ERK1/2 pathway activation was identified as a possible regulatory mechanism.

Outcomes measured

Osteoblast total protein content
Osteoblast mitochondrial activity
Osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity
Mineralized matrix formation
ERK1/2 signaling pathway activation
Osteoclast maturation/viability (from human monocytes)

Limitations

Underlying mechanisms and EMF parameters responsible for effects are stated as unclear in general
Donor-dependent response; only osteoblasts with poor initial function responded
No sample size reported in abstract
Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "clinical PEMF device (Somagen®)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 times weekly for 21 days during maturation"
  },
  "population": "Primary human osteoblasts and osteoclasts (osteoclasts matured from human monocytes)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Osteoblast total protein content",
    "Osteoblast mitochondrial activity",
    "Osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity",
    "Mineralized matrix formation",
    "ERK1/2 signaling pathway activation",
    "Osteoclast maturation/viability (from human monocytes)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Defined ELF-PEMF exposure using the Somagen® device increased osteoblast total protein content, mitochondrial activity, AP activity, and mineralized matrix formation during differentiation, with responses strongly donor-dependent (notably in donors with poor initial osteoblast function). Osteoclast maturation from human monocytes was not affected by ELF-PEMF treatment; ERK1/2 pathway activation was identified as a possible regulatory mechanism.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Underlying mechanisms and EMF parameters responsible for effects are stated as unclear in general",
    "Donor-dependent response; only osteoblasts with poor initial function responded",
    "No sample size reported in abstract",
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-PEMF",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "Somagen device",
    "human osteoblasts",
    "osteoclasts",
    "alkaline phosphatase",
    "matrix mineralization",
    "mitochondrial activity",
    "ERK1/2",
    "fracture healing",
    "osteoporosis"
  ],
  "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.bonr.2015.08.002
PubMed: 28377966

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