Hydrogel-hydroxyapatite-monomeric collagen type-I scaffold with low-frequency electromagnetic field treatment enhances osteochondral repair in rabbits.

Stem cell research & therapy · 2021 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5668

In vitro, EMF stimulation promoted proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs, partly via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin pathways. In vivo, rabbits receiving the composite scaffold plus low-frequency EMF showed enhanced osteochondral defec…

Study snapshot

PublicationStem cell research & therapy · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cartilage damage is a common medical issue in clinical practice. Complete cartilage repair remains a significant challenge owing to the inferior quality of regenerative tissue. Safe and non-invasive magnetic therapy combined with tissue engineering to repair cartilage may be a promising breakthrough. METHODS: In this study, a composite scaffold made of Hydroxyapatite-Collagen type-I (HAC) and PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermogel was produced to match the cartilage and subchondral layers in osteochondral defects, respectively. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) encapsulated in the thermogel were stimulated by an electromagnetic field (EMF). Effect of EMF on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation potential was evaluated in vitro. 4 mm femoral condyle defect was constructed in rabbits. The scaffolds loaded with BMSCs were implanted into the defects with or without EMF treatment. Effects of the combination treatment of the EMF and composite scaffold on rabbit osteochondral defect was detected in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro experiments showed that EMF could promote proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs partly by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo results further confirmed that the scaffold with EMF enhances the repair of osteochondral defects in rabbits, and, in particular, cartilage repair. CONCLUSION: Hydrogel-Hydroxyapatite-Monomeric Collagen type-I scaffold with low-frequency EMF treatment has the potential to enhance osteochondral repair.

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 typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationRabbits with femoral condyle osteochondral defects; bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) used in vitro and implanted in vivo

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

BMSC proliferation (in vitro)
BMSC chondrogenic differentiation (in vitro)
Osteochondral defect repair in rabbits (in vivo)
Cartilage repair (in vivo)
PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activation
Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin signaling pathway activation

Limitations

EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) not specified in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Animal model limits direct generalization to humans

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Rabbits with femoral condyle osteochondral defects; bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) used in vitro and implanted in vivo",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "BMSC proliferation (in vitro)",
    "BMSC chondrogenic differentiation (in vitro)",
    "Osteochondral defect repair in rabbits (in vivo)",
    "Cartilage repair (in vivo)",
    "PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activation",
    "Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin signaling pathway activation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In vitro, EMF stimulation promoted proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs, partly via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin pathways. In vivo, rabbits receiving the composite scaffold plus low-frequency EMF showed enhanced osteochondral defect repair, particularly cartilage repair, compared with scaffold without EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal model limits direct generalization to humans"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "low-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "ELF EMF",
    "magnetic therapy",
    "osteochondral repair",
    "cartilage repair",
    "rabbit model",
    "BMSC",
    "hydroxyapatite",
    "collagen type I",
    "PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermogel",
    "tissue engineering",
    "PI3K/AKT/mTOR",
    "Wnt/β-catenin"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "In vivo osteochondral defect repair experiment conducted in rabbits with EMF treatment."
    },
    {
      "slug": "regenerative-medicine",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "EMF used as an adjunct to a tissue-engineered scaffold and stem cells to enhance cartilage/osteochondral repair."
    }
  ]
}

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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/s13287-021-02638-6
PubMed: 34774092

Read the original paper →

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