title: Magnetically induced electrostimulation of human osteoblasts results in enhanced cell viability and osteogenic differentiation.
abstract: The application of electromagnetic fields to support the bone-healing processes is a therapeutic approach for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The ASNIS-III s-series screw is a bone stimulation system providing electromagnetic stimulation; however, its influence on human osteoblasts (hOBs) has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, in the present study, the impact of this system on the viability and differentiation of hOBs was examined. We used the ASNIS-III s screw system in terms of a specific experimental test set-up. The ASNIS-III s screw system was used for the application of electromagnetic fields (EMF, 3 mT, 20 Hz) and electromagnetic fields combined with an additional alternating electric field (EMF + EF) (3 mT, 20 Hz, 700 mV). The stimulation of primary hOBs was conducted 3 times per day for 45 min over a period of 72 h. Unstimulated cells served as the controls. Subsequently, the viability, the gene expression of differentiation markers and pro-collagen type 1 synthesis of the stimulated osteoblasts and corresponding controls were investigated. The application of both EMF and EMF + EF using the ASNIS-III s screw system revealed a positive influence on bone cell viability and moderately increased the synthesis of pro-collagen type 1 compared to the unstimulated controls. Stimulation with EMF resulted in a slightly enhanced gene expression of type 1 collagen and osteocalcin; however, stimulation with EMF + EF resulted in a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (1.4-fold) and osteocalcin (1.6-fold) levels, and a notable increase in the levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2; 1.54-fold). Our findings demonstrate that stimulation with electromagnetic fields and an additional alternating electric field has a positive influence on hOBs as regards cell viability and the expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hiemer
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Josefin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ziebart
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jonitz-Heincke
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Philip Christian
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Grunert
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Yukun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hansmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bader
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000379:methods*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I