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The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on chondrocyte morphology

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating joint disease where the articular cartilage surface degrades and is unable to repair itself through natural processes. Chondrocytes reside within the cartilage matrix and maintain its structure. We conducted in vitro experiments to investigate the morphological response of cultured human chondrocytes under different pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) conditions. In the control experiments, cultured chondrocytes attached to the bottom of a culture dish typically displayed either a stellate or spindle morphology with extended processes. Experimental chondrocyte cultures were placed in a Helmholtz coil to which a ramp waveform was applied. Exposure to PEMFs caused the chondrocytes to retract their processes, becoming spherical in shape. This change in morphology followed a progression from stellate to spindle to spherical. These morphological changes were reflected in an average reduction of 30% in the surface contact area of the chondrocytes to the culture dish. Understanding the mechanisms by which PEMFs affect the morphology of chondrocytes will help lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis.

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Abbreviations

PEMF:

Pulsed electromagnetic field

DC:

Direct current

AC:

Alternating current

RTF:

Rat tendon fibroblasts

PST:

Pulsed signal therapy

OA:

Osteoarthritis

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

NSAIDs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

ACI:

Autologous chondrocyte implantation

CGM:

Chondrocyte growth medium

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the NSERC and the Edmonton Orthopaedic Research Committee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    M. E. Jahns, E. Lou & N. G. Durdle

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Technology, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Canada

    E. Lou & V. J. Raso

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    K. Bagnall, D. Cinats, R. D. C. Barley, J. Cinats & N. M. Jomha

  4. Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 2nd Floor, ECERF, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2V4

    M. E. Jahns

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  1. M. E. Jahns
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Correspondence to M. E. Jahns.

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Jahns, M.E., Lou, E., Durdle, N.G. et al. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on chondrocyte morphology. Med Bio Eng Comput 45, 917–925 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0216-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0216-8

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