Modification of Bone Cells by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
Dec 29, 2018 19:32:03 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Dec 29, 2018 19:32:03 GMT 10
Modification of biological behaviour of bone cells by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
On the major part of the calcified mass of adult bone there are no changes in bone mass, however there is a part on which bone is being formed and a part on which bone is being resorbed. Decalcification occurs when bone resorption is greater than bone formation. Bone formation comprises two steps, the laying down of the extra-cellular matrix and the deposition therein of bone salts. The dynamic processes of formation and destruction of bone are under cellular control. Bone formation is controlled by single nuclear cells called Osteoblasts, and bone resorption by multinuclear giant cells are called Osteoclasts. Bone is a specialized connective tissue, in which a matrix consisting of collagen fibres and a large variety of other proteins and ground substance are impregnated with a solid mineral. The bone matrix is responsible for the resistance of bone to tractional and torsional forces. The collagen forms more than 25 % of the bones and is synthesized by osteoblasts. On the bone surface collagen fibres are normally arranged in concentric rings of hard calcified matrix.
The bone minerals provide to the bone compressive strength and rigidity. It contains the mineral salts hydroxyapatite and calcium. In addition, there are small amounts of magnesium hydroxide, fluoride and sulphate. As these salts are deposited in the framework formed by the collagen fibres of the matrix, crystallization occurs and the tissue hardens. This process is called calcification or mineralisation. Both the concentrations of ions of calcium and phosphate in the extracellular fluid maintain crystallization. If the concentration is not adequate the tissue will not be hard enough resulting in increased bone fracture risk
There are two types of bone structure. Cortical (compact) bone and trabecular (spongy) bone. Cortical bone is more dense and constitutes of 80 % of the skeletal mass and forms the external layer of all bones in the human body. Trabecular bone consists of lamellae arranged in an irregular latticework of thin plates of bone and helps long bones to resist the stress of weight placed on them.
The process by which bone forms is called ossification. Bone forms either by the mineralisation of cartilage or directly by osteoblasts in a collagenous matrix. During the first two decades of life bone grows, followed by consolidation and reaching its peak value around thirty five years. After this peak, bone loss starts. Nutritional factors, especially calcium intake, the level of physical activity and generic factors are important in determining the peak bone mass.
When a bone is fractured, it heals with bone. Bone is the only solid tissue in the body that can replace itself. Bone healing is simple when it occurs smoothly, complicated when it does not. The process is being initiated by stimuli from the bone itself. Fractures through bone with a good blood supply, surrounded by muscle and without soft tissue trauma, have an excellent chance of healing, but fractures at the middle of long bones, particularly with extensive soft tissue damage, have a high incidence of non-union.
Selected low-energy time-varying electromagnetic fields have been used during the past 15 years to treat un-united fractures (non-unions). More than 100,000 patients, mainly in the USA, have been treated. Retrospective studies have substantiated their biological effectiveness in large numbers. Bone is responsive to the mechanical demands placed on it. When loading diminishes, as it does during bed rest, immobilization and weightlessness, bone mass is lost. On the other hand when loading is increased correctly, bone mass increases
Results of bio-mechanical and histologic investigations prove that electromagnetic fields not only prevent bone loss, but also restores bone mass, once lost. A program was set up at McGill University of Montreal, where was found that electromagnetic fields damp bone resorption activity. Furthermore prove was found that selected electromagnetic fields increase bone formation.
The resorption of bone is lowest and formation of new bone greatest, when energy of the imposed fields is concentrated in the lower frequency components. These results are consistent with other studies showing, that cells respond to a broad spectrum of frequencies. They appear to be most sensitive to frequencies in the range of those produced endogenously, which is in the range of 100 Hz or less.
Tissue dosimetry studies show that the frequency response of cortical bone over a range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz show a steep roll off between 100 and 200 Hz
Electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies have shown to produce osteogenic effects in a turkey ulna model. Furthermore, low-amplitude signals decrease bone resorption in a canine fibular model. Lifestyle factors like malnutrition, smoking, excessive use of alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to, and worsen, osteoporosis. It is not known whether this response derives from decreased osteoblastic activity, increased osteoclastic resorption, or both. Elderly persons can heal fractures in normal intervals, showing that osteoblasts can be activated by appropriate stimuli.
A study at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine was designed to provide concrete data on the restoration of bone mass in post-menopausal females. A total of 20 subjects between 57 and 75 years, all with decreased bone mineral density as defined by a bone densitometer, were treated during a period of 12 weeks. After a period of 6 weeks, the bone density rose in those patients with an average of 5.6%.
Electromagnetic fields do modify biological behaviour by inducing electrical changes around and within the cell. The key to rational use of electromagnetic fields lies in the ability to define the specific treatment parameters (amplitude, frequency, orientation and timing).
Properly applied pulsed electromagnetic fields have clear clinical benefits in the treatment of bone diseases and related pain, often caused by micro-fractures in vertebrae. In addition, joint pain caused by worn out cartilage layers can be treated successfully, through electromagnetic stimulation, increasing the partial oxygen pressure and resulting in increased calcium transport. Repair and growth of cartilage is thus stimulated, preventing grinding of the bones.
On the major part of the calcified mass of adult bone there are no changes in bone mass, however there is a part on which bone is being formed and a part on which bone is being resorbed. Decalcification occurs when bone resorption is greater than bone formation. Bone formation comprises two steps, the laying down of the extra-cellular matrix and the deposition therein of bone salts. The dynamic processes of formation and destruction of bone are under cellular control. Bone formation is controlled by single nuclear cells called Osteoblasts, and bone resorption by multinuclear giant cells are called Osteoclasts. Bone is a specialized connective tissue, in which a matrix consisting of collagen fibres and a large variety of other proteins and ground substance are impregnated with a solid mineral. The bone matrix is responsible for the resistance of bone to tractional and torsional forces. The collagen forms more than 25 % of the bones and is synthesized by osteoblasts. On the bone surface collagen fibres are normally arranged in concentric rings of hard calcified matrix.
The bone minerals provide to the bone compressive strength and rigidity. It contains the mineral salts hydroxyapatite and calcium. In addition, there are small amounts of magnesium hydroxide, fluoride and sulphate. As these salts are deposited in the framework formed by the collagen fibres of the matrix, crystallization occurs and the tissue hardens. This process is called calcification or mineralisation. Both the concentrations of ions of calcium and phosphate in the extracellular fluid maintain crystallization. If the concentration is not adequate the tissue will not be hard enough resulting in increased bone fracture risk
There are two types of bone structure. Cortical (compact) bone and trabecular (spongy) bone. Cortical bone is more dense and constitutes of 80 % of the skeletal mass and forms the external layer of all bones in the human body. Trabecular bone consists of lamellae arranged in an irregular latticework of thin plates of bone and helps long bones to resist the stress of weight placed on them.
The process by which bone forms is called ossification. Bone forms either by the mineralisation of cartilage or directly by osteoblasts in a collagenous matrix. During the first two decades of life bone grows, followed by consolidation and reaching its peak value around thirty five years. After this peak, bone loss starts. Nutritional factors, especially calcium intake, the level of physical activity and generic factors are important in determining the peak bone mass.
When a bone is fractured, it heals with bone. Bone is the only solid tissue in the body that can replace itself. Bone healing is simple when it occurs smoothly, complicated when it does not. The process is being initiated by stimuli from the bone itself. Fractures through bone with a good blood supply, surrounded by muscle and without soft tissue trauma, have an excellent chance of healing, but fractures at the middle of long bones, particularly with extensive soft tissue damage, have a high incidence of non-union.
Selected low-energy time-varying electromagnetic fields have been used during the past 15 years to treat un-united fractures (non-unions). More than 100,000 patients, mainly in the USA, have been treated. Retrospective studies have substantiated their biological effectiveness in large numbers. Bone is responsive to the mechanical demands placed on it. When loading diminishes, as it does during bed rest, immobilization and weightlessness, bone mass is lost. On the other hand when loading is increased correctly, bone mass increases
Results of bio-mechanical and histologic investigations prove that electromagnetic fields not only prevent bone loss, but also restores bone mass, once lost. A program was set up at McGill University of Montreal, where was found that electromagnetic fields damp bone resorption activity. Furthermore prove was found that selected electromagnetic fields increase bone formation.
The resorption of bone is lowest and formation of new bone greatest, when energy of the imposed fields is concentrated in the lower frequency components. These results are consistent with other studies showing, that cells respond to a broad spectrum of frequencies. They appear to be most sensitive to frequencies in the range of those produced endogenously, which is in the range of 100 Hz or less.
Tissue dosimetry studies show that the frequency response of cortical bone over a range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz show a steep roll off between 100 and 200 Hz
Electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies have shown to produce osteogenic effects in a turkey ulna model. Furthermore, low-amplitude signals decrease bone resorption in a canine fibular model. Lifestyle factors like malnutrition, smoking, excessive use of alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to, and worsen, osteoporosis. It is not known whether this response derives from decreased osteoblastic activity, increased osteoclastic resorption, or both. Elderly persons can heal fractures in normal intervals, showing that osteoblasts can be activated by appropriate stimuli.
A study at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine was designed to provide concrete data on the restoration of bone mass in post-menopausal females. A total of 20 subjects between 57 and 75 years, all with decreased bone mineral density as defined by a bone densitometer, were treated during a period of 12 weeks. After a period of 6 weeks, the bone density rose in those patients with an average of 5.6%.
Electromagnetic fields do modify biological behaviour by inducing electrical changes around and within the cell. The key to rational use of electromagnetic fields lies in the ability to define the specific treatment parameters (amplitude, frequency, orientation and timing).
Properly applied pulsed electromagnetic fields have clear clinical benefits in the treatment of bone diseases and related pain, often caused by micro-fractures in vertebrae. In addition, joint pain caused by worn out cartilage layers can be treated successfully, through electromagnetic stimulation, increasing the partial oxygen pressure and resulting in increased calcium transport. Repair and growth of cartilage is thus stimulated, preventing grinding of the bones.