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Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatments affect degeneration of cultured articular cartilage explants

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Abstract

Purpose

Articular cartilage has some capacity for self-repair. Clinically used low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatments were compared in their potency to prevent degeneration using an explant model of porcine cartilage.

Methods

Explants of porcine cartilage and human osteoarthritic cartilage were cultured for four weeks and subjected to daily LIPUS or PEMF treatments. At one, two, three and four weeks follow-up explants were prepared for histological assessment or gene expression (porcine only).

Results

Non-treated porcine explants showed signs of atrophy of the superficial zone starting at one week. Treated explants did not. In LIPUS-treated explants cell clusters were observed. In PEMF-treated explants more hypertrophic-like changes were observed at later follow up. Newly synthesized tissue was present in treated explants. Gene expression profiles did indicate differences between the two methods. Both methods reduced expression of the aggrecan and collagen type II gene compared to the control. LIPUS treatment of human cartilage samples resulted in a reduction of degeneration according to Mankin scoring. PEMF treatment did not.

Conclusions

LIPUS or PEMF prevented degenerative changes in pig knee cartilage explants. LIPUS reduced degeneration in human cartilage samples. LIPUS treatment seems to have more potency in the treatment of osteoarthritis than PEMF treatment.

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Acknowledgments

Mathias Berg Johansen and Madelica Pituca are gratefully acknowledged for their experimental work. The Physiostim® apparatus was kindly provided by Evert Jan van de Kamp from Pro-Motion Medical bv Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. West China College of Stomatology, Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Lijun Tan

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering (FB40), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 196, 9600 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Lijun Tan, Theo G. van Kooten, Dirk W. Grijpma & Roel Kuijer

  3. Department of Orthodontics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Yijin Ren

  4. MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Dirk W. Grijpma

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  1. Lijun Tan
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Correspondence to Roel Kuijer.

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Tan, L., Ren, Y., van Kooten, T.G. et al. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatments affect degeneration of cultured articular cartilage explants. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 39, 549–557 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2542-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2542-4

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