Pulsed electromagnetic field attenuates bone fragility in estrogen-deficient osteoporosis in rats

• Published in: Technology and health care Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 1343 - 1353
• Main Authors: Popović, Tamara, Matavulj, Milica, Nežić, Lana, Radulović, Tatjana Nožica, Škrbić, Ranko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2023; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Biomechanics; Bisphosphonates; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone Density Conservation Agents - therapeutic use; Bone healing; Bone loss; Bone mineral density; Calciferol; Calcium; Calcium - pharmacology; Calcium - therapeutic use; Dietary supplements; Drug therapy; Electromagnetic fields; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Estrogens; Estrogens - deficiency; Exposure; Female; Fragility; Osteogenesis; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - drug therapy; Osteoporosis - pathology; Ovariectomy; Pamidronate - therapeutic use; Pamidronic acid; Rats; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - pharmacology; Vitamin D - therapeutic use; pamidronate; calcium; pulsed electromagnetic fields; Estrogen deficient osteoporosis; vitamin D
• ISSN: 0928-7329; 1878-7401; 1878-7401
• DOI: 10.3233/THC-220642

BACKGROUND: The pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) seem effective in increasing bone mineral density and promoting osteogenesis and bone healing. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of two different modalities of PEMFs therapy in comparison with the recommended pharmacological treatment on experimental osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: The experimental model of estrogen-deficient osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy was used in this study. The animals were exposed to PEMFs of various frequencies (40 Hz and 25 Hzk), intensities (10 mT and 36.4 μ T), lengths of exposure, and the effects were compared with the standard treatment with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation. RESULTS: The application of PEMF 40Hz , significantly reduced the osteoporotic bone loss in female rats that were confirmed with biochemical, biomechanical, and histological analyses. These effects were more pronounced than in osteoporotic animals treated with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation. On the contrary, the exposure to PEMF 25Hz did not show restorative effects but led to further progression of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The exposure to PEMF 40Hz , significantly restored osteoporosis and attenuated bone fragility in comparison to the rats exposed to PEMF 25Hz or those treated with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation.