[Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis in rabbits with osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment on chondrocyte morphology, chondrocyte apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis related proteins in rabbits.

METHODS

24 white New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (NC group), anterior cruciate ligament transection without treatment (ACLT group), and anterior cruciate ligament transection with pulsed electromagnetic field treatment (PEMF group). Six weeks after anterior cruciate ligament transection, the rabbits in the PEMF group were given 2 weeks of pulsed electromagnetic field treatment.

RESULTS

Rabbits in the PEMF group had significantly lower Mankin scores than those in the ACLT group, although the scores were higher than that of the NC group. The rabbits in the PEMF groups also had significantly lower levels of apoptosis index of chondrocytes and expression of caspase-3 compared with those in the ACLT group. The expression of caspase-8 in the rabbits in the PEMF group was higher compared to the NC group, but no significant difference compared with that of the ACLT group.

CONCLUSION

Pulsed electromagnetic field treatment has therapeutic effect on the experimental osteoarthritis, which is likely a result of inhibition of apoptosis in chondrocytes.