title: Histological analysis of the effects of a static magnetic field on bone healing process in rat femurs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate, in vivo, the quality of bone healing under the effect of a static magnetic field, arranged inside the body.
  
  
  METHODS
  A metallic device was developed, consisting of two stainless steel washers attached to the bone structure with titanium screws. Twenty-one Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus albinus) were used in this randomized experimental study. Each experimental group had five rats, and two animals were included as control for each of the groups. A pair of metal device was attached to the left femur of each animal, lightly touching a surgically created bone cavity. In the experimental groups, washers were placed in that way that they allowed mutual attraction forces. In the control group, surgery was performed but washers, screws or instruments were not magnetized. The animals were sacrificed 15, 45 and 60 days later, and the samples were submitted to histological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On days 15 and 45 after the surgical procedure, bone healing was more effective in the experimental group as compared to control animals. Sixty days after the surgical procedure, marked bone neoformation was observed in the test group, suggesting the existence of continued magnetic stimulation during the experiment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The magnetic stainless steel device, buried in the bone, in vivo, resulted in increased efficiency of the experimental bone healing process.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Hospital de Clinicas de P.A., School of Dentistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. epuricelli@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Edela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puricelli
authors.forename: Lucienne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ulbrich
authors.forename: Deise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ponzoni
authors.forename: João Julio da Cunha
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Filho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005269:Femur; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome