Pulsed electromagnetic field at different stages of knee osteoarthritis in rats induced by low‐dose monosodium iodoacetate: Effect on subchondral trabecular bone microarchitecture and cartilage degradation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of pre-emptive, early, and delayed pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment on cartilage and subchondral trabecular bone in knee osteoarthritis (OA) rats induced by low-dose monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). Seventy-five 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups: OA (n = 30), pre-emptive PEMF (n = 10), early PEMF (n = 10), delayed PEMF (n = 10), and control (n = 15). Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting 0.2 mg MIA in rat's right knee joint. Control rats received a single sterile saline injection in the right knee. Male rats received pre-emptive (n = 10, day 0-end of week 4), early (n = 10, end of week 4-end of week 8), or delayed (n = 10, end of week 8-end of week 12) PEMF treatment (75 Hz, 1.6 mT). After 4, 8, and 12 weeks, rats were sacrificed at each time point and right knees were harvested. After sacrifice, micro-computed tomography, histology, and biomarker analyses were performed. We found pre-emptive PEMF treatment preserved subchondral trabecular bone microarchitecture and prevented subchondral bone loss in MIA-induced OA rat model. Early and delayed PEMF treatment maintained subchondral trabeculae. PEMF treatment increased bone and cartilage formation, and decreased bone and cartilage resorption. Pre-emptive and early PEMF treatment had moderate effects on cartilage degradation. Time point of treatment initiation is crucial for treating OA. PEMF might become a potential biophysical treatment modality for osteoarthritis. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:227-238, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Versus Whole Body Vibration on Cartilage and Subchondral Trabecular Bone in Mice With Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Similar results in rat models with osteoporosis have been observed; Jing et al [2014] showed that pre‐emptive PEMF can preserve subchondral trabecular bone and cortical bone microarchitecture, and inhibit bone loss. Yang et al [2017] demonstrated that pre‐emptive PEMF treatment has more a beneficial effect on subchondral trabecular bone microarchitecture compared with early and delayed PEMF treatment. Similar findings were also reported, that WBV treatment can maintain subchondral trabecular bone microarchitecture and avoid bone loss [Junbo et al, 2017].…”

“…Moreover, PEMF can reduce the expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1 (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and downregulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), which degrade ECM components and have a destructive effect on cartilage components [Wojdasiewicz et al, 2014; Zhou et al, 2017]. A previous study revealed the beneficial effect of pre‐emptive PEMF exposure on cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone loss for knee OA (KOA) in rats, and that the time point of treatment initiation is significant for treating OA [Yang et al, 2017]. Besides, clinical studies showed that PEMF can provide benefits for KOA patients in relieving pain and stiffness, and improving physical function and quality of life [Bagnato et al, 2016; Abdel‐Aziem et al, 2018].…”

Articular Cartilage Regeneration: An Update of Possible Treatment Approaches

“…As well, the application of appropriately timed biophysical stimuli when engineering neocartilage [7] , and one less well studied related topic, examining upstream factors that can be harnessed to protect articular cartilage may help to avert progressive cartilage deterioration and degradation, and/or to produce functional cartilage. As well, the possible use of multiple, rather than single therapeutic strategies to attenuate the disease process [15] , including joint protection efforts in the face of attempts to stimulate neocartilage might prove especially helpful, as might careful mechanical or electrical stimulation of the affected osteoarthritic joint or both [102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112] .…”

The cellular effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on osteoblasts: A review

“…The use of EMFs to promote bone healing is supported by abundant preclinical literature that shows their action in rodent models of glucocorticoid‐ or ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis [Zati et al, ; Bilotta et al, ; Chang and Chang, ; Jing et al, , ; Zhou et al, , , , b; Jiang et al, ; Lei et al, ], disuse osteoporosis [Shen and Zhao, ; Jing et al, ; Li et al, ], osteoporotic fractures [Androjna et al, ], osteoarthritis [Yang et al, ], diabetes‐associated bone architecture [Li et al, ], hyperthyroidism bone loss [Liu et al, ], and bone healing [Takano‐Yamamoto et al, ; Sarker et al, ; Landry et al, ; Fredericks et al, ; Midura et al, ; Taylor et al, ; Bilgin et al, ; Huegel et al, ].…”