Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) on collagen type I mRNA expression and extracellular matrix synthesis of human osteoblastic cells.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1998 · Benefit · Low evidence

← Research stream

BenefitLow evidencePaper 5391

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1998

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Human osteoblastic cells were grown in a three-dimensional (3-D) cell culture model and used to test the effects of a 20 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field (EMF; 6 mT and 113 mV/cm max) on collagen type I mRNA expression and extracellular matrix formation in comparison with the effects of growth factors. The cells were isolated from trabecular bone of a healthy individual (HO-197) and from a patient presenting with myositis ossificans (MO-192) and grown in a collagenous sponge-like substrate. Maximal enhancement of collagen type I expression after EMF treatment was 3.7-fold in HO-197 cells and 5.4-fold in MO-192 cells. Similar enhancement was found after transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) treatment. Combined treatment of the cells with EMF and the two growth factors TGF-beta and IGF-I did not act synergistically. MO-192 cells produced an osteoblast-characteristic extracellular matrix containing collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, together with collagen type III, TP-1, and TP-3, two epitopes of an osteoblastic differentiation marker. The data suggest that the effects of EMFs on osteoblastic differentiation are comparable to those of TGF-beta and IGF-I. We conclude that EMF effects in the treatment of skeletal disorders and in orthopedic adjuvant therapy are mediated via enhancement of collagen type I mRNA expression, which may lead to extensive extracellular matrix synthesis.

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

PopulationHuman osteoblastic cells isolated from trabecular bone of a healthy individual (HO-197) and a patient with myositis ossificans (MO-192), grown in a 3-D culture model

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A 20 Hz sinusoidal EMF (6 mT; 113 mV/cm max) increased collagen type I mRNA expression, with maximal enhancement of 3.7-fold in HO-197 cells and 5.4-fold in MO-192 cells. Similar enhancement was observed with TGF-beta and IGF-I; combined EMF plus growth factors was not synergistic. MO-192 cells produced an osteoblast-characteristic extracellular matrix, and the authors conclude EMF effects may be mediated via enhanced collagen type I mRNA expression leading to extracellular matrix synthesis.

Outcomes measured

Collagen type I mRNA expression
Extracellular matrix formation/synthesis
Osteoblastic differentiation markers (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, TP-1, TP-3)

Limitations

In vitro 3-D cell culture model; findings may not translate to in vivo/clinical outcomes
Cells derived from only two donors (one healthy individual and one patient), limiting generalizability
Exposure duration and exposure schedule not stated in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human osteoblastic cells isolated from trabecular bone of a healthy individual (HO-197) and a patient with myositis ossificans (MO-192), grown in a 3-D culture model",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Collagen type I mRNA expression",
    "Extracellular matrix formation/synthesis",
    "Osteoblastic differentiation markers (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, TP-1, TP-3)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A 20 Hz sinusoidal EMF (6 mT; 113 mV/cm max) increased collagen type I mRNA expression, with maximal enhancement of 3.7-fold in HO-197 cells and 5.4-fold in MO-192 cells. Similar enhancement was observed with TGF-beta and IGF-I; combined EMF plus growth factors was not synergistic. MO-192 cells produced an osteoblast-characteristic extracellular matrix, and the authors conclude EMF effects may be mediated via enhanced collagen type I mRNA expression leading to extracellular matrix synthesis.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro 3-D cell culture model; findings may not translate to in vivo/clinical outcomes",
    "Cells derived from only two donors (one healthy individual and one patient), limiting generalizability",
    "Exposure duration and exposure schedule not stated in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "20 Hz",
    "6 mT",
    "osteoblast",
    "human osteoblastic cells",
    "collagen type I",
    "mRNA expression",
    "extracellular matrix",
    "TGF-beta",
    "IGF-I",
    "myositis ossificans",
    "3-D culture"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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/(sici)1521-186x(1998)19:4<222::aid-bem4>3.0.co;2-3
PubMed: 9581965

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library