ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the biological effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) with different high intensities on condylar cartilage in rats. @*Methods@#SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group (Sham) and an irradiation group (EMP1: 500 kV/m, 10 Hz; EMP2: 270 kV/m, 10 Hz). Then, they were sacrificed at 1 h, 3 h, 12 h, 24 h and 3 d after irradiation. The degree of cartilage degeneration was evaluated by HE, safranine O-fast green, type Ⅱ collagen immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were performed to detect the expression of the matrix degradation factors: matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS-5) and the apoptosis key factor cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (cleaved-Caspase3) in condylar cartilage. @*Results @#HE staining showed that, compared with the Sham group, a small amount of exfoliation was found on the fibrous surface layer of the cartilage after irradiation in the EMP1 and EMP2 groups. Compared with the Sham group, the percentage of safranine O-fast green-positive area decreased significantly at 12 h and 24 h (both P<0.01) in the EMP1 group and 12 h and 24 h in the EMP2 group (both P<0.05); the percentage of type Ⅱ collagen-positive area decreased significantly at 3 h and 12 h (P<0.05, P<0.001) in the EMP1 group. In addition, the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells increased significantly at 1 h, 3 h, 12 h, and 24 h in the EMP1 group and 1 h, 3 h, and 12 h in the EMP2 group (P<0.05). Moreover, at different timepoints (except at 3 d) in the EMP1 group and EMP2 group, the percentage of MMP-13, ADAMTS-5- and cleaved Caspase3-positive chondrocytes and their protein levels in condylar cartilage increased significantly after irradiation (P<0.05). @* Conclusion@# EMP with a certain degree of high-intensity can induce early transient damage to condylar cartilage. This effect is dose-and time-dependent.