Effects of different intensities of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on formation of osteoclast-like cells.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2003 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5266

ELF-PEMF exposure altered osteoclast-like cell formation in bone marrow culture in an intensity-dependent manner, with reported enhancement (~50%) at some induced electric field intensities and suppression (~27%) at others. Correlations were observed between …

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2003

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, the beneficial therapeutic effects of selected low energy, time varying electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been documented with increasing frequency to treat therapeutically resistant problems of the musculoskeletal system. However, the underlying mechanisms at a cellular level are still not completely understood. In this study, the effects of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) on osteoclastogenesis, cultured from murine bone marrow cells and stimulated by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), were examined. Primary bone marrow cells were cultured from mature Wistar rats and exposed to ELF-PEMF stimulation daily for 7 days with different intensities of induced electric field (4.8, 8.7, and 12.2 micro V/cm rms) and stimulation times (0.5, 2, and 8 h/day). Recruitment and authentication of osteoclast-like cells were evaluated, respectively, by determining multinuclear, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cells on day 8 of culture and by the pit formation assay. During the experiments, cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta), and prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2)) were assayed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These findings suggest that ELF-PEMF can both enhance (approximately 50%) and suppress (approximately 27%) the formation of osteoclast-like cells in bone marrow culture, depending on the induced electric field intensity. In addition, consistent correlations were observed between TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and osteoclast-like cell number after exposure to different induced electric field intensities of ELF-PEMF. This in vitro study could be considered as groundwork for in vivo ELF-PEMF clinical applications on some osteoclast-associated bone 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 directionmixed

PopulationPrimary murine/rodent bone marrow cell cultures (from mature Wistar rats) stimulated with 1,25(OH)2D3

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · Daily for 7 days; 0.5, 2, or 8 h/day

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Formation of osteoclast-like cells (multinuclear TRAP-positive cells)
Pit formation assay (osteoclast function)
Cytokines: TNF-alpha, IL-1beta
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)

Limitations

In vitro study (cell culture), limiting direct inference to in vivo/clinical outcomes
Frequency and other waveform parameters of ELF-PEMF not specified in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Daily for 7 days; 0.5, 2, or 8 h/day"
  },
  "population": "Primary murine/rodent bone marrow cell cultures (from mature Wistar rats) stimulated with 1,25(OH)2D3",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Formation of osteoclast-like cells (multinuclear TRAP-positive cells)",
    "Pit formation assay (osteoclast function)",
    "Cytokines: TNF-alpha, IL-1beta",
    "Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "ELF-PEMF exposure altered osteoclast-like cell formation in bone marrow culture in an intensity-dependent manner, with reported enhancement (~50%) at some induced electric field intensities and suppression (~27%) at others. Correlations were observed between TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels and osteoclast-like cell number across different induced electric field intensities.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (cell culture), limiting direct inference to in vivo/clinical outcomes",
    "Frequency and other waveform parameters of ELF-PEMF not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-PEMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "osteoclastogenesis",
    "osteoclast-like cells",
    "bone marrow culture",
    "TRAP",
    "pit formation assay",
    "TNF-alpha",
    "IL-1beta",
    "PGE2",
    "induced electric field intensity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Rodent-derived primary bone marrow cells were used (in vitro from Wistar rats)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/bem.10118
PubMed: 12929162

Read the original paper →

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