Abstract
Endogenous electric fields created in bone tissue as a response to mechanical loading are known to influence the activity and differentiation of bone and precursor cells. Thus, electrical stimulation offers an adjunct therapy option for the promotion of bone regeneration. Understanding the influence of electric fields on bone cell function and the identification of suitable electrical stimulation parameters are crucial for the clinical success of stimulation therapy. Therefore, we investigated the impact of alternating electric fields on human osteoblasts that were seeded on titanium electrodes, which delivered the electrical stimulation. Moreover, osteoblasts were seeded on collagen-coated coverslips near the electrodes, representing the bone stock surrounding the implant. Next, 0.2 V, 1.4 V, or 2.8 V were applied to the in vitro system with 20 Hz frequency. After one, three, and seven days, the osteoblast morphology and expression of osteogenic genes were analysed. The actin organisation, as well as the proliferation, were not affected by the electrical stimulation. Changes in the gene expression and protein accumulation after electrical stimulation were voltage-dependent. After three days, the osteogenic gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity were up to 2.35-fold higher following the electrical stimulation with 0.2 V and 1.4 V on electrodes and coverslips compared to controls. Furthermore, collagen type I mRNA, as well as the amount of the C-terminal propeptide of collagen type I were increased after the stimulation with 0.2 V and 1.4 V, while the higher electrical stimulation with 2.8 V led to decreased levels, especially on the electrodes.
Highlights
The implantation of a total hip replacement is a common surgery which is being performed with increasing frequency due to the rising age of the global population [1]
Surgery is indicated in the case of trauma, osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, or bone loss resulting from tumours [2,3,4,5]
The dimensions of osteoblasts growing on rough Ti6Al4V electrodes were smaller than those growing on collagen-coated coverslips due to the rough surface
Summary
The implantation of a total hip replacement is a common surgery which is being performed with increasing frequency due to the rising age of the global population [1]. Skin irritation can occur during capacitive coupled electrical stimulation and the application of high voltages is necessary to induce appropriate electric fields inside the bone tissue. Inductive coupling delivers the pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) via one or two magnetic coils placed over the bone defect and induce an electrical field through PEMFs while connected to an outer current supply [11]. Another option for the application of ES after joint arthroplasty is the integration of devices for electrical stimulation into the endoprosthetic implant. The advantages of this method are the possibility of direct electrical stimulation at the desired site of the bone regeneration and the need for low patient compliance
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