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Pulsed electromagnetic fields: promising treatment for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis International volume 30, pages 267–276 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is considered to be a well-defined disease which results in high morbidity and mortality. In patients diagnosed with OP, low bone mass and fragile bone strength have been demonstrated to significantly increase risk of fragility fractures. To date, various anabolic and antiresorptive therapies have been applied to maintain healthy bone mass and strength. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are employed to treat patients suffering from delayed fracture healing and nonunions. Although PEMFs stimulate osteoblastogenesis, suppress osteoclastogenesis, and influence the activity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and osteocytes, ultimately leading to retention of bone mass and strength. However, whether PEMFs could be taken into clinical use to treat OP is still unknown. Furthermore, the deeper signaling pathways underlying the way in which PEMFs influence OP remain unclear.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

ALP :

alkaline phosphatase

BMD :

bone mineral density

BMP-2 :

bone morphogenetic protein 2

BMSCs :

bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BSAP :

bone-specific alkaline phosphatase

CA II :

carbonic anhydrase II

CTSK :

cathepsin K

CTX :

C-terminal telopeptide

DKK1 :

dickkopf-related protein 1

ECM :

extracellular matrix

ERK :

extracellular regulated protein kinases

GCs :

glucocorticoids

GJIC :

gap junction intercellular communication

HMGB1 :

high-mobility group protein B1

IGF :

insulin-like growth factor

IL-1β :

interleukin 1 beta

IL-6 :

interleukin 6

IRS-I :

insulin receptor substrate-I

MMP :

matrix metalloproteinase

mMSCs :

mesenchymal marrow stromal/stem cells

mTOR :

mammalian target of rapamycin

NFATC1 :

nuclear factor of activated T cells 1

NF-κB :

nuclear factor kappa B

NO :

nitric oxide

NOS :

NO synthase

OC :

osteocalcin

OP :

osteoporosis

OPG :

osteoprotegerin

OVX :

ovariectomized

PEMF :

pulsed electromagnetic fields

PGE2 :

prostaglandin E2

PINP :

propeptide type I collagen

PMOP :

postmenopausal osteoporosis

PPAR-γ :

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

PTH :

parathyroid hormone

RANK :

receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa B

RANKL :

RANK ligand

Runx2 :

runt-related transcription factor 2

SCI :

spinal cord injury

TGF-β :

transforming growth factor

TNF-α :

tumor necrosis factor-alpha

TRAcP5b :

tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b

VEGF :

vascular endothelial growth factor

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Acknowledgments

We thank International Science Editing (http://www.internationalscienceediting.com) for editing this manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by Grants from National Natural ScienceFoundation of China (81572236 to C Q He), the Chengdu Bureau ofScience and Technology(No. 2015-HM02-00042-SF to C Q He )andSichuan science and Technology (No2015$Z0054 to C Q He).

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    T. Wang, L. Yang, J. Jiang, Z. Fan, C. Zhong & C. He

  2. Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    T. Wang, L. Yang, J. Jiang, Z. Fan, C. Zhong & C. He

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China

    Y. Liu

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  1. T. Wang
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Wang, T., Yang, L., Jiang, J. et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields: promising treatment for osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 30, 267–276 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-018-04822-6

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Keywords

  • BMSCs
  • Osteoblasts
  • Osteoclasts
  • Osteocytes
  • Osteoporosis
  • PEMFs