Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on proteoglycan biosynthesis of articular cartilage is age dependent.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 2006 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5128

EMF exposure increased matrix macromolecule synthesis in undigested, untreated explants (p<0.009). In matrix-depleted samples, EMF had no stimulatory effect on proteoglycan biosynthesis. IL1beta decreased de novo matrix macromolecule synthesis in both young a…

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnals of the rheumatic diseases · 2006

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a pulsed electromagnetic field (EMF) on articular cartilage matrix biosynthesis with regard to age and cartilage damage using a matrix depleted cartilage explant model. METHODS: Cartilage explants were obtained from metacarpophalangeal joints of calves and adult cows. After depletion of the extracellular matrix by trypsin digestion, samples were maintained in serum-free basal medium with and without the addition of interleukin 1beta (IL1beta). Half the samples were subjected to an EMF for 24 minutes daily; the other half were left untreated. Undigested and untreated explants served as negative controls. After 7 days, biosynthesis of matrix macromolecules was assessed by [35S]sulphate incorporation and values were normalised to hydroxyproline content. RESULTS: The EMF increased matrix macromolecule synthesis in undigested, untreated explants (p<0.009). In matrix depleted samples the EMF had no stimulatory effect on proteoglycan biosynthesis. IL1beta significantly decreased the de novo synthesis of matrix macromolecules (p<0.00004) in young and adult samples, but an EMF partly counteracted this inhibitory effect in cartilage samples from young, but not old animals. CONCLUSION: EMF promoted matrix macromolecule biosynthesis in intact tissue explants but had no stimulatory effect on damaged articular cartilage. The supressive effects of IL1beta were partially counteracted by EMF exposure, exclusively in cartilage derived from young animals. An EMF has age dependent chondroprotective but not structure modifying properties when cartilage integrity is compromised.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationCartilage explants from metacarpophalangeal joints of calves (young) and adult cows

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure24 minutes daily (for 7 days)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Proteoglycan/matrix macromolecule biosynthesis assessed by [35S]sulphate incorporation (normalised to hydroxyproline)
Effect modification by age (young vs adult)
Effect in intact vs matrix-depleted (trypsin-digested) cartilage explants
Interaction with IL1beta-induced suppression of matrix synthesis

Limitations

Ex vivo explant model rather than in vivo exposure
EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 minutes daily (for 7 days)"
  },
  "population": "Cartilage explants from metacarpophalangeal joints of calves (young) and adult cows",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Proteoglycan/matrix macromolecule biosynthesis assessed by [35S]sulphate incorporation (normalised to hydroxyproline)",
    "Effect modification by age (young vs adult)",
    "Effect in intact vs matrix-depleted (trypsin-digested) cartilage explants",
    "Interaction with IL1beta-induced suppression of matrix synthesis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "EMF exposure increased matrix macromolecule synthesis in undigested, untreated explants (p<0.009). In matrix-depleted samples, EMF had no stimulatory effect on proteoglycan biosynthesis. IL1beta decreased de novo matrix macromolecule synthesis in both young and adult samples (p<0.00004), and EMF partly counteracted this inhibition only in cartilage from young animals.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Ex vivo explant model rather than in vivo exposure",
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "articular cartilage",
    "proteoglycan biosynthesis",
    "matrix macromolecules",
    "IL1beta",
    "age dependent",
    "cartilage explant",
    "trypsin digestion"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Study uses bovine cartilage explants from calves and adult cows to test effects of pulsed EMF."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1136/ard.2005.037622
PubMed: 16769781

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