Growth factors and electromagnetic fields in bone.

Stimulation of bone by low-energy electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may prove to be an efficient therapy for skeletal disorders. The study discussed in this article demonstrates that an EMF of 15.3 Hz can increase the proliferation rate of an osteosarcoma cell line, TE-85. The increase in cell proliferation was associated with an increase in binding sites for insulin-like growth factor II and an increase in mitogen activity in culture media.