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.