Effects of pulsed and sinusoid electromagnetic fields on human chondrocytes cultivated in a collagen matrix.

Rheumatology international · 2008 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5020

Study snapshot

PublicationRheumatology international · 2008

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Although several effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on articular cartilage have been reported in recent studies, the use of EMFs to treat osteoarthritis remains a matter of debate. In an in vitro study, human chondrocytes harvested from osteoarthritic knee joints were released from their surrounding matrix and transferred in defined concentration into a 3D matrix (type-I collagen gel). The cultivation, performed under standard conditions, lasted up to 14 days. During this time, treatment groups were continuously exposed to either sinusoid or pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). The PEMFs revealed the following characteristics: maximum magnetic flux density of 2 mT, frequency of the bursts of 16.7 Hz with each burst consisting of 20 pulses. Similarly, the sinusoid EMFs also induced a maximum flux density of 2 mT with a frequency of 50 Hz. Control groups consisting of equal number of samples were not exposed to EMF. Immunohistological examinations of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples revealed positive staining for type-II collagen and proteoglycans in the immediate pericellular region with no differences between the two different treatment groups and the control groups. With increasing cultivation time, both type-II collagen and aggrecan gene expression declined, but no significant differences in gene expression were found between the treatment and control groups. In conclusion, using our in vitro setting, we were unable to detect any effects of pulsed and sinusoidal magnetic fields on human adult osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

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 directionno_effect

PopulationHuman adult osteoarthritic chondrocytes harvested from knee joints (cultivated in 3D type-I collagen gel)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · continuous exposure during cultivation up to 14 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Continuous exposure to pulsed EMFs (max 2 mT; burst frequency 16.7 Hz; 20 pulses per burst) or sinusoidal EMFs (max 2 mT; 50 Hz) during up to 14 days of 3D culture showed no differences versus unexposed controls in immunohistological staining for type-II collagen and proteoglycans. Type-II collagen and aggrecan gene expression declined over time, with no significant differences between exposed and control groups.

Outcomes measured

Type-II collagen staining (immunohistology)
Proteoglycan staining (immunohistology)
Type-II collagen gene expression
Aggrecan gene expression

Limitations

In vitro model (3D collagen gel) may not reflect in vivo cartilage/osteoarthritis physiology
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure conditions limited to 2 mT at 16.7 Hz (pulsed bursts) and 50 Hz (sinusoid)
Outcomes limited to staining and gene expression measures reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure during cultivation up to 14 days"
  },
  "population": "Human adult osteoarthritic chondrocytes harvested from knee joints (cultivated in 3D type-I collagen gel)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Type-II collagen staining (immunohistology)",
    "Proteoglycan staining (immunohistology)",
    "Type-II collagen gene expression",
    "Aggrecan gene expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Continuous exposure to pulsed EMFs (max 2 mT; burst frequency 16.7 Hz; 20 pulses per burst) or sinusoidal EMFs (max 2 mT; 50 Hz) during up to 14 days of 3D culture showed no differences versus unexposed controls in immunohistological staining for type-II collagen and proteoglycans. Type-II collagen and aggrecan gene expression declined over time, with no significant differences between exposed and control groups.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro model (3D collagen gel) may not reflect in vivo cartilage/osteoarthritis physiology",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure conditions limited to 2 mT at 16.7 Hz (pulsed bursts) and 50 Hz (sinusoid)",
    "Outcomes limited to staining and gene expression measures reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "PEMF",
    "sinusoidal magnetic field",
    "ELF",
    "2 mT",
    "16.7 Hz",
    "50 Hz",
    "human chondrocytes",
    "osteoarthritis",
    "collagen matrix",
    "type-II collagen",
    "aggrecan",
    "proteoglycans"
  ],
  "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: 10.1007/s00296-008-0565-0
PubMed: 18389240

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