POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 5:30-6:15 PM
Gronowicz G, McCarthy MB, Jhaveri A.
Therapeutic Touch inhibits bone formation of human osteosarcoma
cells in vitro.
University of Connecticut Health Center gronowicz@nso1.uchc.edu
The purpose of our study was to determine the effect
of Therapeutic Touch (TT) on mineralization and differentiation of human
osteosarcoma cells (SaOs-2) in vitro. TT is a 5-step complementary
medicine procedure by which a qualified practitioner facilitates the
subject's own self-healing through the practitioner's hands and involves
assessment, intervention, and resolution of the perceived biofields.
The practitioner's hands are 5-6 inches away from the subject. Two practitioners,
who were registered nurses with extensive TT experience, were involved
in the study. Osteoblast-like cells (SaOs-2), derived from a human osteosarcoma
were used and they were plated in 6 well Costar dishes at a density
of 10,000 cells/cm2. TT was performed twice a week for 10 minutes per
treatment. Control plates were left untreated during the same period
of time as the treated. The treated and untreated groups alternated
locations in a L-shaped laboratory to provide equal environmental opportunity.
All plates were suspended one foot in the air while being clamped in
a ringstand on a bench top. Experiments were performed for two weeks
for a total of 4 treatments. At 2 weeks, mineralization was determined
by biochemically measuring calcium content. Northern blots were performed
to determine the _expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the following
bone matrix proteins: Type I collagen, bone sialoprotein and alkaline
phosphatase. These bone matrix proteins are required for bone formation.
Message levels for actin were used as a control to normalize the band
obtained for the mRNA levels of bone matrix proteins. Osteocalcin was
analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Student Newman Keuls test was
used to determine statistical significance. After two weeks of TT, it
was shown that calcium content in the Saos-2 cultures was inhibited
by approximately 86% over 6 repeated experiments, and was statistically
significant with a p-value of 0.009. This finding was supported by Northern
Blot analyses showing a decrease in the mRNA levels of bone sialoprotein,
alkaline phosphatase and Type I collagen by 71%, 88%, and 59%, respectively.
RT-PCR also revealed a decrease in the message level of osteocalcin
after two weeks. In conclusion, TT significantly inhibited bone formation
assessed by measuring calcification and the message levels of bone matrix
proteins in human osteosarcoma cells.
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