Effects of electromagnetic fields treatment on rat critical-sized calvarial defects with a 3D-printed composite scaffold.

Stem cell research & therapy · 2020 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5623

Study snapshot

PublicationStem cell research & therapy · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current strategies for craniofacial defect are faced with unmet outcome. Combining 3D-printing with safe, noninvasive magnetic therapy could be a promising breakthrough. METHODS: In this study, polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite (PLA/HA) composite scaffold was fabricated. After seeding rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on scaffolds, the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs were investigated. Additionally, 6-mm critical-sized calvarial defect was created in rats. BMSC-laden scaffolds were implanted into the defects with or without EMF treatment. RESULTS: Our results showed that PLA/HA composite scaffolds exhibited uniform porous structure, high porosity (~ 70%), suitable compression strength (31.18 ± 4.86 MPa), modulus of elasticity (10.12 ± 1.24 GPa), and excellent cyto-compatibility. The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs cultured on the scaffolds were enhanced with EMF treatment. Mechanistically, EMF exposure functioned partly by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or MAPK-associated ERK and JNK pathways. In vivo, significantly higher new bone formation and vascularization were observed in groups involving scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF treatment, compared to scaffold alone. Furthermore, after 12 weeks of implanting, craniums in groups including scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF exposure showed the greatest biomechanical properties. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, EMF treatment combined with 3D-printed scaffold has great potential applications in craniofacial regeneration.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationRats (critical-sized calvarial defect model); rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

EMF treatment enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs cultured on PLA/HA scaffolds, with suggested involvement of MAPK-associated ERK and JNK pathways. In rats with 6-mm critical-sized calvarial defects, groups involving scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF showed significantly higher new bone formation and vascularization than scaffold alone, and the greatest biomechanical properties after 12 weeks.

Outcomes measured

BMSC proliferation
BMSC osteogenic differentiation
MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway activation (mechanistic)
New bone formation (in vivo)
Vascularization (in vivo)
Biomechanical properties of regenerated cranium (12 weeks)
Scaffold properties (porosity, compression strength, modulus, cytocompatibility)

Limitations

EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Comparators beyond 'with or without EMF' and detailed group structure not fully described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "magnetic therapy / electromagnetic fields treatment",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Rats (critical-sized calvarial defect model); rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "BMSC proliferation",
    "BMSC osteogenic differentiation",
    "MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway activation (mechanistic)",
    "New bone formation (in vivo)",
    "Vascularization (in vivo)",
    "Biomechanical properties of regenerated cranium (12 weeks)",
    "Scaffold properties (porosity, compression strength, modulus, cytocompatibility)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "EMF treatment enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs cultured on PLA/HA scaffolds, with suggested involvement of MAPK-associated ERK and JNK pathways. In rats with 6-mm critical-sized calvarial defects, groups involving scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF showed significantly higher new bone formation and vascularization than scaffold alone, and the greatest biomechanical properties after 12 weeks.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Comparators beyond 'with or without EMF' and detailed group structure not fully described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "magnetic therapy",
    "PLA/HA composite scaffold",
    "3D printing",
    "bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells",
    "osteogenic differentiation",
    "calvarial defect",
    "bone regeneration",
    "vascularization",
    "MAPK",
    "ERK",
    "JNK"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "In vivo rat critical-sized calvarial defect model with EMF treatment."
    },
    {
      "slug": "regenerative-medicine",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "EMF used to enhance stem-cell/scaffold-based craniofacial bone regeneration."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/s13287-020-01954-7
PubMed: 33023631

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