Discrimination between the effects of pulsed electrical stimulation and electrochemically conditioned medium on human osteoblasts

Bielfeldt, Meike and Budde-Sagert, Kai and Weis, Nikolai and Buenning, Maren and Staehlke, Susanne and Zimmermann, Julius and Arbeiter, Nils and Mobini, Sahba and González, María Ujué and Rebl, Henrike and Uhrmacher, Adelinde M. and van Rienen, Ursula and Nebe, Barbara (2023) Discrimination between the effects of pulsed electrical stimulation and electrochemically conditioned medium on human osteoblasts. Journal of Biological Engineering, 17 (1), ISSN 1754-1611.

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Official URL: https://jbioleng.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.118...

Abstract

Background. Electrical stimulation is used for enhanced bone fracture healing. Electrochemical processes occur during the electrical stimulation at the electrodes and influence cellular reactions. Our approach aimed to distinguish between electrochemical and electric field effects on osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. We applied 20 Hz biphasic pulses via platinum electrodes for 2 h. The electrical stimulation of the cell culture medium and subsequent application to cells was compared to directly stimulated cells. The electric field distribution was predicted using a digital twin. Results. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed partial electrolysis at the electrodes, which was confirmed by increased concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the medium. While both direct stimulation and AC-conditioned medium decreased cell adhesion and spreading, only the direct stimulation enhanced the intracellular calcium ions and reactive oxygen species. Conclusion. The electrochemical by-product hydrogen peroxide is not the main contributor to the cellular effects of electrical stimulation. However, undesired effects like decreased adhesion are mediated through electrochemical products in stimulated medium. Detailed characterisation and monitoring of the stimulation set up and electrochemical reactions are necessary to find safe electrical stimulation protocols.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Articel 71
Projects: MaCE