Generation of electric potentials by bone in response to mechanical stress

Bassett, C. Andrew L.; Becker, Robert O.

Affiliations

¹Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York 32

²Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, and Veterans Administration Hospital, Syracuse

Abstract

The amplitude of electrical potentials generated in stressed bone is dependent upon the rate and magnitude of bony deformation, while polarity is determined by the direction of bending. Areas under compression develop negative potentials with respect to other areas. Similar results were obtained both in living and dead bone. Removal of the inorganic fraction from bone abolishes its ability to generate stress potentials. It is probable that these potentials influence the activity of osseous cells directly. Furthermore, it is conceivable that they may direct, in some manner, the aggregation pattern of the macromolecules of the extracellular matrix.

Links

DOI: 10.1126/science.137.3535.1063

PubMed: 13865637

WoS: A19623030C00003

Cited Works (1)

Year	Entry
1892	Wolff J. Das Gesetz der Transformation der Knochen. Berlin: Hirschwald; 1892.

Cited By (49)

Year	Entry
1973	Evans FG. Mechanical Properties of Bone. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas; 1973.
1964	Frost HM. The Laws of Bone Structure. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas; 1964.
1991	Spadaro JA. Bioelectrical properties of bone and response of bone to electrical stimuli. In: Hall BK, ed. Bone. Volume 3: Bone Matrix and Bone Specific Products. Boca Raton, FL: Inc., CRC Press; 1991:109-140.
2001	Lakes R. Viscoelastic properties of cortical bone. In: Cowin SC, ed. Bone Mechanics Handbook. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2001:11-1–11-15.
2001	Pollack SR. Streaming potentials in bone. In: Cowin SC, ed. Bone Mechanics Handbook. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2001:24-1–24-22.
2001	Brown TD. Devices and techniques for in vitro mechanical stimulation of bone cells. In: Cowin SC, ed. Bone Mechanics Handbook. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2001:27-1–27-22.
1990	Mak AFT. Streaming potential in bone. In: Mow VC, Ratcliffe A, Woo SL-Y, eds. Biomechanics of Diarthrodial Joints. Vol 2. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:175-194.
1965	Sedlin ED. A rheologic model for cortical bone: a study of physical properties of human femoral samples. Acta Orthop Scand. 1965;(suppl 83):1-77.
1973	Pugh JW, Rose RM, Radin EL. A possible mechanism of Wolff's Law: trabecular microfractures. Arch Int Physiol Biochim. February 1973;81(1):27-40.
1992	Rubin CT, Bain SD, McLeod KJ. Suppression of the osteogenic response in the aging skeleton. Calcif Tiss Int. April 1992;50(4):306-313.
1977	Carter DR, Hayes WC. Compact bone fatigue damage: a microscopic examination. Clin Orthop Relat Res. September 1977;127:265-274.
1986	Globus RK, Bikle DD, Morey-Holton E. The temporal response of bone to unloading. Endocrinology. February 1986;118(2):733-742.
2008	Shapiro F. Bone development and its relation to fracture repair: the role of mesenchymal osteoblasts and surface osteoblasts. Eur Cell Mater. 2008;15:53-76.
1995	Klein-Nulend J, van der Plas A, Semeins CM, Ajubi NE, Frangos JA, Nijweide PJ, Burger EH. Sensitivity of osteocytes to biomechanical stress in vitro. FASEB J. March 1995;9(5):441-445.
1970	Lang SB. Ultrasonic method for measuring elastic coefficients of bone and results on fresh and dried bovine bones. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. April 1970;17(2):101-105.
1976	Yoon HS, Katz JL. Ultrasonic wave propagation in human cortical bone, I: theoretical considerations for hexagonal symmetry. J Biomech. 1976;9(6):407-412.
1982	Gross D, Williams WS. Streaming potential and the electromechanical response of physiologically-moist bone. J Biomech. 1982;15(4):277-295.
1990	Rubin CT, McLeod KJ, Bain SD. Functional strains and cortical bone adaptation: epigenetic assurance of skeletal integrity. J Biomech. 1990;23(suppl 1):43-54.
1990	Scott GC, Korostoff E. Oscillatory and step response electromechanical phenomena in human and bovine bone. J Biomech. 1990;23(2):127-143.
1991	Burger EH, Klein-Nulend J, Veldhuuzen JP. Modulation of osteogenesis in fetal bone rudiments by mechanical stress in vitro. J Biomech. 1991;24(suppl 1):101-109.
2023	Liu J, Hou Z, Qu C, Pan S. Experimental study on the coupling between the piezoelectric and streaming potential in wet bone. J Biomech. January 2023;147:111454.
1978	McKibbin B. The biology of fracture healing in long bones. J Bone Joint Surg. May 1978;60B(2):150-162.
1997	Gross TS, Edwards JL, Mcleod KJ, Rubin CT. Strain gradients correlate with sites of periosteal bone formation. J Bone Miner Res. June 1997;12(6):982-988.
1976	Cowin SC, Hegedus DH. Bone remodeling, I: theory of adaptive elasticity. J Elast. 1976;6(3):313-326.
1979	Starkebaum W, Pollack SR, Korostoff E. Midroelectrode studies of stress-generated potentials in four-point bending of bone. J Mater Res. September 1979;13(5):729-751.
1992	Otter MW, Palmieri VR, Wu DD, Seiz KG, MacGinitie LA, Cochran GVB. A comparative analysis of streaming potentials in vivo and in vitro. J Orthop Res. September 1992;10(5):710-719.
1967	Marino AA, Becker RO, Bachman CH. Dielectric determination of bound water of bone. Phys Med Biol. 1967;12(3):367-378.
1979	Lakes R, Saha S. Cement line motion in bone. Science. May 4, 1979;204(4392):501-503.
1996	Hillam RA. Response of Bone to Mechanical Load and Alterations in Circulating Hormones [PhD thesis]. Bristol, UK: University of Bristol; October 1996.
1990	Simske SJ. Development of Model Osteoporosis in Mice: Alleviation by Electromagnetics and Alternative Treatments [PhD thesis]. University of Colorado; July 1990.
2005	Chao P-hG. Physical Forces on Cells: Effects of Applied Osmotic Loading and Direct Current Electric Fields [PhD thesis]. Columbia University; 2005.
2004	Samuel SP. Fluid/solid Interactions in Cancellous Bone [PhD thesis]. Cleveland State University; August 2004.
1992	Ryaby JT. Biochemical Effects of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cells [PhD thesis]. New York, NY: The City University of New York; 1992.
1977	Johnson MW. The Electromechanical Effect in Bone [PhD thesis]. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; July 1977.
2020	Krech ED. Leading the Charge in Bone Healing: Design of Compliant Layer Adaptive Composite Stacks for Electrical Stimulation in Orthopedic Implants [PhD thesis]. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas; 2020.
2018	Pravato L. Characteristics of the Stress-Generated Electrical Potentials in Bone Induced by Mechanical Loading [Master's thesis]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; August 2018.
2019	Jhirad A. The Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Loss of Bone Mass in the Ovariectomized Rat [Master's thesis]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; 2019.
1992	Bloomfield SA. Site-Specific Changes in Bone Mass and Alterations in Calciotropic Hormones With Electrical Stimulation Exercise in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury [PhD thesis]. The Ohio State University; 1992.
2003	Peterman MM. A Strain Map of the Human Distal Tibia During the Stance Phase of Walking, from Dynamic Cadaver Experiments and Finite Element Analysis Simulations [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; August 2003.
2008	Luu YK. Biomechanical Promotion of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation as a Countermeasure to the Development of Obesity and Osteoporosis [PhD thesis]. Stony Brook, NY: Stony Brook University; May 2008.
1991	Baker KJ. The Influence of Mechanical Stress on Collapse Propensity in MRI-Delineated Femoral Head Osteonecrosis [PhD thesis]. University of Iowa; December 1991.
1996	Adams DJ. Mechanical Factors Initiating Appositional Bone Formation [PhD thesis]. University of Iowa; May 1996.
2013	Seay NR. Detecting Frequency Dependence in the D₁₄ Coefficient of Dehydrated Cow Bone [Master's thesis]. Baltimore County, University of Maryland; 2013.
2011	Rieger R. Modélisation mécano-biologique par éléments finis de l'os trabéculaire: Des activités cellulaires au remodelage osseux [Mechano-Biological Modeling of Trabecular Bone by Finite Elements: From Cells’ Activities to Bone Remodeling] [PhD thesis]. University of Orleans; 2011.
1996	Beck BR. The Relationship of Streaming Potential Magnitude to Strain and Periosteal Modeling [PhD thesis]. Eugene, OR: University of Oregon; December 1996.
1992	Vresilovic EJ Jr. Electromagnetic Dose in Long Bone Fractures: Theoretical Determination of in Vivo Electromagnetic Fields Resulting from 60 kHz Stimulation Using Epidermal Electrodes [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 1992.
1994	Spirt AA. In Vivo Electromechanical Phenomena in Cortical Bone of the Female Rat from the Postnatal State Through Senescence [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 1994.
1998	Lu HH. 45S5 Bioactive Glass Surface Zeta Potential Variations in Electrolyte Solutions With and Without Fibronectin [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 1998.
2011	Isaacson BM. Exploring the Effects of Electrical Stimulation for Use With Osseointegrated Implants [PhD thesis]. University of Utah; May 2011.