Effects of extremely‐low‐frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on collagen synthesis in rat skin

Abstract

To investigate the effects of extremely-low-frequency PEMFs (pulsed electromagnetic fields) on the synthesis of epidermal collagen, six groups of animals each consisting of eight mature male rats were selected randomly: one group for the control and five for the test. Using a parallel set of Helmholtz coils, a uniform field intensity of 2 mT at different frequencies of 25, 50 and 100 Hz yielded the most effective frequency to be 25 Hz. Then, at this frequency, two different field intensities of 1 and 4 mT were applied. The treatment time of 2.5 h/day lasted for 8 days, keeping the same procedure for the control group, except with the field turned off. On the ninth day, the rats were killed and skin samples from the dorsal region were taken for collagen assessment by measuring hydroxyproline content using the Stegemann-Stalder [(1967) Clin. Chim. Acta 8, 267-273] method. The results indicated that a PEMF of 2 mT at 25 Hz increased the collagen synthesis (P < 0.05). The other intensities and frequency setting did not have any noticeable effect; however, at a frequency of 25 Hz at 4 mT, collagen increase was also noticed. It was concluded that at 25 Hz under a field setting of 2 mT for the duration of 8 days, stimulation of skin at 2.5 h/day would cause increase in collagen synthesis in rat skin.

A 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field promotes human cell proliferation by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels

“…In this study, we showed that the uniformity of ELF-EMFs is a major parameter and that exposure to a uniform ELF-EMF increases cell proliferation in human cancer and normal cells by reducing intracellular ROS levels. Since increased proliferation was observed in both normal and cancer cells, this observation may support some epidemiological studies that suggest ELF-EMFs accelerate tumor formation [ 3 , 5 , 46 , 47 ] and the finding that ELF-EMFs may also help wound healing by activating cell proliferation [ 43 – 45 ]. The cellular effect of a uniform ELF-EMF should be further investigated in various human cell types to understand the overall pathological effects of ELF-EMFs.…”

“…The cellular effects of ELF-EMFs remain highly controversial as their biological effects are inconsistent. ELF-EMFs showed genotoxic effects and inhibited proliferation [ 19 , 20 ], while also activating proliferation for wound healing [ 43 – 45 ]. However, the reason for this discrepancy is not yet fully understood.…”

RETRACTED: Evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of electromagnetic fields and coenzyme Q10 on hippocampal injury in mouse

“…Electromagnetic field generator was used to exposure EMF with frequency of 50 Hz and intensity of 5.9 mT (Ahmadian, Zarchi, & Bolouri, 2006).…”

Radiofrequency for the treatment of skin laxity: mith or truth

“…Researches advocate the need for the use of appropriate parameters for the achievement of the therapeutic results of the RF, since the effects induced by EMFs are dependent parameters. 8 , 71 This review observed that there is no report of standardization of the way to reference these parameters in the literature and, often, they are not made available from manufacturers of RF equipments.…”