Suspension osteopenia in mice: whole body electromagnetic field effects.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1995 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5447

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1995

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Whole-body fields were tested for their efficacy in preventing the osteopenia caused by tail suspension in mice. The fields had fundamental frequencies corresponding to the upper range of predicted endogenous impact-generated frequencies (0.25-2.0 kHz) in the long bones. Three distinct whole-body EMFs were applied for 2 weeks on growing mice. Structural, geometric, and material properties of the femora, tibiae, and humeri of suspended mice were altered compared to controls. Comparison of suspended mice and mice subjected to caloric restriction indicates that the changes in caloric intake do not explain either the suspension or the field-induced effects. In agreement with past studies, rather, unloading appears to cause the suspension effects and to be addressed by the EMFs. The EMF effects on bone properties were apparently frequency dependent, with the lower two fundamental frequencies (260 and 910 Hz) altering, albeit slightly, the suspension-induced bone effects. The fields are not apparently optimized for frequency, etc., with respect to therapeutic potential; however, suspension provides a model system for further study of the in vivo effects of EMFs.

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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

PopulationGrowing mice (tail suspension model)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Whole-body EMFs with fundamental frequencies in the 0.25–2.0 kHz range were applied for 2 weeks in growing tail-suspended mice. Suspension altered structural, geometric, and material properties of long bones versus controls, and caloric restriction comparisons suggested caloric intake did not explain suspension or field-induced effects. EMF effects on bone properties were described as apparently frequency dependent, with 260 and 910 Hz producing slight alterations of suspension-induced bone effects.

Outcomes measured

Osteopenia prevention/attenuation in tail-suspended mice
Structural properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri
Geometric properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri
Material properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri
Role of caloric intake vs unloading in bone changes
Frequency dependence of EMF effects on bone properties

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
EMF parameters beyond fundamental frequency (e.g., field strength/waveform) not provided in abstract
Effects described as slight and fields not optimized for therapeutic potential

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "whole-body electromagnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Growing mice (tail suspension model)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Osteopenia prevention/attenuation in tail-suspended mice",
    "Structural properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri",
    "Geometric properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri",
    "Material properties of femora, tibiae, and humeri",
    "Role of caloric intake vs unloading in bone changes",
    "Frequency dependence of EMF effects on bone properties"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Whole-body EMFs with fundamental frequencies in the 0.25–2.0 kHz range were applied for 2 weeks in growing tail-suspended mice. Suspension altered structural, geometric, and material properties of long bones versus controls, and caloric restriction comparisons suggested caloric intake did not explain suspension or field-induced effects. EMF effects on bone properties were described as apparently frequency dependent, with 260 and 910 Hz producing slight alterations of suspension-induced bone effects.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "EMF parameters beyond fundamental frequency (e.g., field strength/waveform) not provided in abstract",
    "Effects described as slight and fields not optimized for therapeutic potential"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "tail suspension",
    "osteopenia",
    "bone properties",
    "whole-body electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF",
    "frequency dependence",
    "mice",
    "unloading"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "In vivo mouse model assessing whole-body EMF effects on bone outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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.2250160303
PubMed: 7677791

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