RESUMEN
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent joint disease, characterized by degradation of extracellular matrix and alterations in chondrocyte metabolism. Some authors reported that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can positively interfere with patients affected by OA, even though the nature of the interaction is still debated. Human primary osteoarthritic chondrocytes isolated from the femoral heads of OA-patients undergoing to total hip replacement, were cultured in vitro and exposed 30 min/day for two weeks to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF) with fixed frequency (100 Hz) and to therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic fields (TAMMEF) with variable frequencies, intensities and waveforms. Sham-exposed (S.E.) cells served as control group. Cell viability was measured at days 2, 7 and 14. After two weeks, cell lysates were processed using a proteomic approach. Chondrocyte exposed to ELF and TAMMEF system demonstrated different viability compared to untreated chondrocytes (S.E.). Proteome analysis of 2D-Electrophoresis and protein identification by mass spectrometry showed different expression of proteins derived from nucleus, cytoplasm and organelles. Function analysis of the identified proteins showed changes in related-proteins metabolism (glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase), stress response (Mn-superoxide-dismutase, heat-shock proteins), cytoskeletal regulation (actin), proteinase inhibition (cystatin-B) and inflammation regulatory functions (S100-A10, S100-A11) among the experimental groups (ELF, TAMMEF and S.E.). In conclusion, EMFs do not cause damage to chondrocytes, besides stimulate safely OA-chondrocytes and are responsible of different protein expression among the three groups. Furthermore, protein analysis of OA-chondrocytes treated with ELF and the new TAMMEF systems could be useful to clarify the pathogenetic mechanisms of OA by identifying biomarkers of the disease.
Asunto(s)
Condrocitos/metabolismo , Condrocitos/efectos de la radiación , Campos Electromagnéticos , Magnetoterapia/métodos , Música , Osteoartritis/patología , Proteómica , Anciano , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de la radiación , Condrocitos/patología , Electroforesis , Femenino , Cabeza Femoral/patología , Humanos , Masculino , Osteoartritis/terapiaRESUMEN
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, characterized by matrix degradation and changes in chondrocyte morphology and metabolism. Literature reported that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can produce benefits in OA patients, even if EMFs mechanism of action is debated. Human osteoarthritic chondrocytes isolated from femoral heads were cultured in vitro in bidimensional (2-D) flasks and in three-dimensional (3-D) alginate beads to mimic closely cartilage environment in vivo. Cells were exposed 30 min/day for 2 weeks to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF) with fixed frequency (100 Hz) and to therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic field (TAMMEF) with variable frequencies, intensities, and waveforms. Cell viability was measured at days 7 and 14, while healthy-cell density, heavily vacuolized (hv) cell density, and cluster density were measured by light microscopy only for 3-D cultures after treatments. Cell morphology was observed for 2-D and 3-D cultures by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chondrocyte exposure to TAMMEF enhances cell viability at days 7 and 14 compared to ELF. Light microscopy analysis showed that TAMMEF enhances healthy-cell density, reduces hv-cell density and clustering, compared to ELF. Furthermore, TEM analysis showed different morphology for 2-D (fibroblast-like) and 3-D (rounded shape) cultures, confirming light microscopy results. In conclusion, EMFs are effective and safe for OA chondrocytes. TAMMEF can positively interfere with OA chondrocytes representing an innovative non-pharmacological approach to treat OA.
Asunto(s)
Condrocitos/efectos de la radiación , Campos Electromagnéticos , Osteoartritis/terapia , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de la radiación , Células Cultivadas , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión , Persona de Mediana Edad , MúsicaRESUMEN
This study investigated the effects of electromagnetic fields on enzymes involved in purine metabolism in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Cells were obtained from 20 volunteers. We tested both low-energy, extremely low frequency (ELF; 100-Hz) electromagnetic fields and the Therapeutic Application of Musically Modulated Electromagnetic Fields (TAMMEFs); the latter is characterized by variable frequencies, intensities, and wave shapes. Adenylate kinase activity was increased after ELF field exposure but decreased slightly after TAMMEF exposure. Neither of the two electromagnetic field affected the activities of the purine metabolism enzymes ecto-5'-nucleotidase, adenosine deaminase, and adenosine kinase. We concluded that ELF fields may influence cellular electrical charge stability; stimulation of adenylate kinase activity could restore the cell to a state of equilibrium. In contrast, TAMMEF fields may be useful for maintaining and regulating the cellular electrical charge.
Asunto(s)
Adenilato Quinasa/metabolismo , Campos Electromagnéticos , Leucocitos Mononucleares/enzimología , Leucocitos Mononucleares/efectos de la radiación , Música , 5'-Nucleotidasa/metabolismo , Adenosina Desaminasa/metabolismo , Adulto , Análisis de Varianza , Células Cultivadas , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Purinas/metabolismo , Estadísticas no ParamétricasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum levels of relaxin (RLX), a hormone with acknowledged antifibrotic activity, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: We performed a pilot study of 50 outpatients with SSc and 50 healthy subjects. Serum RLX was measured using the relaxin ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test. RESULTS: Serum RLX appeared to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with SSc compared to controls. RLX appeared significantly increased (p < 0.001) in male patients compared to male controls, and in female patients compared to female controls. RLX was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in female patients and female controls compared to male patients and male controls. CONCLUSION: In patients with SSc, the increased level of RLX represents a defensive response against the fibrotic process.
Asunto(s)
Relaxina/sangre , Esclerodermia Sistémica/metabolismo , Esclerodermia Sistémica/patología , Biomarcadores , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Fibrosis , Humanos , Masculino , Menopausia , Menstruación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
HCV chronic liver disease can be associated with a plethora of immune and autoimmune perturbations and many authors claim that HCV chronic infection can play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. To compare our experience with literature reports, we performed a retrospective study on the case histories of 265 patients with HCV chronic liver disease, evaluating the type and prevalence of the associated immune and autoimmune manifestations. We found that the patients with HCV chronic liver disease can present arthromyalgias (7.1% of the patients), Sjörgen's syndrome (5.2%), thyroiditis (4.1%), rheumatoid arthritis (2.2%), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (2.6%), mixed cryoglobulinemia (1.5%), autoimmune anemia (0.3%) and oral lichen planus (0.3%). We claim that HCV liver infection is able to induce immune and autoimmune perturbations, without playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of a well-defined disorder.