Human osteoarthritic chondrocytes exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF) and therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic fields (TAMMEF) systems: a comparative study

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, characterized by matrix degradation and changes in chondrocyte morphology and metabolism. Literature reported that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can produce benefits in OA patients, even if EMFs mechanism of action is debated. Human osteoarthritic chondrocytes isolated from femoral heads were cultured in vitro in bidimensional (2-D) flasks and in three-dimensional (3-D) alginate beads to mimic closely cartilage environment in vivo. Cells were exposed 30 min/day for 2 weeks to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF) with fixed frequency (100 Hz) and to therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic field (TAMMEF) with variable frequencies, intensities, and waveforms. Cell viability was measured at days 7 and 14, while healthy-cell density, heavily vacuolized (hv) cell density, and cluster density were measured by light microscopy only for 3-D cultures after treatments. Cell morphology was observed for 2-D and 3-D cultures by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chondrocyte exposure to TAMMEF enhances cell viability at days 7 and 14 compared to ELF. Light microscopy analysis showed that TAMMEF enhances healthy-cell density, reduces hv-cell density and clustering, compared to ELF. Furthermore, TEM analysis showed different morphology for 2-D (fibroblast-like) and 3-D (rounded shape) cultures, confirming light microscopy results. In conclusion, EMFs are effective and safe for OA chondrocytes. TAMMEF can positively interfere with OA chondrocytes representing an innovative non-pharmacological approach to treat OA.

Effect of electromagnetic fields on human osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic chondrocytes

“…In addition, EMFs may have anti-apoptotic effects by decreasing the expression of proteins involved in the pro-apoptotic pathway and simultaneously increasing expression of anti-apoptotic proteins [ 30 ]. EMF treatment seems to improve suboptimal or degenerate cellular conditions for chondrocytes [ 31 , 32 ]. In the absence of chondrocyte stress EMFs may be ineffective which may in part explain the lack of EMF effect in some studies.…”

Are New Approaches Needed to Solidify Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Osteoarthritis Associations: A 50-year Retrospective Showing Promise but No Definitive Lab or Clinical Research Conclusions (1974-2024)

“…What has been shown is that due to their differential abilities to stimulate or trigger selected cell-based molecules and structural components, intermittent or low frequency externally applied electrophysiological applied fields may favorably influence multiple intrinsic joint structures and functional status implicated in osteoarthritis, such as cartilage cells, bone cells, possible muscle and tendon repair processes as required and others [11,15]. As such, their application alone or as a complementary modality may be especially helpful in efforts to improve the cartilage tissue integrity to a degree that fosters mobility as well as joint stability, while securing protection against future loading insults [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

The Effects of Sounds and Music on Cells and Organisms: A Promising and Developing Area of Research

“…Thus, research has been carried out on the effects of music on the biology of different cell types. Study of effects of music on human chondrocytes has shown that use of music help to identify biomarkers and provide a new approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis (Vannoni 2012, Corallo et al 2013, Dhungana et al, 2018, Exbrayat and Brun, 2019. On the other hand, it has been observed that the size and the granularity of tumoral MCF7 cells cultivated in vitro was altered by music (Lestard et al 2013, Lestard andCapella 2016).…”