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Electric fields and proliferation in a chronic wound model
Author(s) -
Goldman Robert,
Pollack Solomon
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-186x(1996)17:6<450::aid-bem4>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - chronic wound , wound healing , medicine , immunology
A wound model for decubitus and leg ulcers consisting of human dermal fibroblasts in type I collagen dermal “equivalent” matrix (DEM) was exposed in vitro to electric fields similar to postulated endogenous fields in wounds. After an 8–10 day maturation period, conductivity of DEM samples was determined. Then, DEM samples were mounted in oval windows equidistant between Ag/AgCl agar electrodes in exposure chambers containing serum‐free medium. A known low‐frequency sinusoidal current was then applied for 12 h, and the average electric field amplitude was calculated in the region of the cells. After a 6 h hiatus, 3 H‐thymidine was introduced for 6 h. This was followed by assay. Over a series of trials, field amplitude ranged from 18 to 1,000 mV/m at frequencies of 10 and 100 Hz. Proliferation was measured by total DNA and 3 H‐thymidine incorporation. Results indicated that a narrow amplitude window between 37 and 50 mV/meter at 10 Hz yielded increases in proliferation: At maximum (41 mV/m), there was a 70% increase in total DNA ( P < .01). Increases occurred in 3 H‐thymidine incorporation at 41–50 mV/m but not at other amplitudes ( P < .05). Increases in total DNA at 41 mV/m occurred at 10 Hz but not 100 Hz ( P < .01). 3 H‐thymidine incorporation was in agreement ( P < .05). Response was also a function of cell density within matrix. Proliferation occurred in the same amplitude and frequency ranges in which endogenous fields are expected to occur. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.