Shockwave Therapy Enhances Bone Cell Growth and Differentiation
Authors: F. S. Wang, K. D. Yang, R. F. Chen, C. J. Wang, S. M. Sheen-Chen
This study investigated the effects of extracorporeal shockwave (ESW) therapy on bone-marrow cells and their ability to develop into osteoprogenitor cells, which play a crucial role in bone formation. Rats were subjected to ESW treatment on their left femur, and the bone-marrow cells were evaluated for colony-forming units (CFUs) of various cell types.
The results showed that ESW treatment with 500 impulses significantly increased the number of CFU-osteoprogenitors (CFU-O) compared to the control group. This indicates that ESW therapy promoted the growth and differentiation of bone-marrow cells towards osteoprogenitor cells, which are responsible for bone formation. ESW treatment also enhanced the activity of bone alkaline phosphatase, further supporting the promotion of osteoprogenitor cell growth.
Interestingly, the study found that the effect of ESW treatment on CFU-O formation was dose-dependent. Treatment with 250 and 500 impulses was beneficial, while treatment with more than 750 impulses had an inhibiting effect. This suggests that there is an optimal range for ESW therapy to effectively enhance bone cell growth and differentiation.
Additionally, the study observed an increase in the production of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the culture supernatants of ESW-treated rats. TGF-beta1 is known to play a role in bone growth and repair. This finding suggests that the induction of TGF-beta1 may be involved in the mechanism by which ESW therapy promotes bone-marrow stromal growth and differentiation towards osteoprogenitors.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ESW therapy has the potential to enhance bone cell growth and differentiation, specifically towards osteoprogenitor cells. This could have significant implications for promoting bone healing and regeneration in clinical settings.