Page 40 - Micro5 Brochure 2017

Optimum microcurrent stimulation intensity for galvanotaxis in
human fibroblasts.

Sugimoto M, Maeshige N, Honda H, Yoshikawa Y, Uemura M, Yamamoto M, Terashi H.

Source

Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In this study, we develop methods to measure galvanotaxis of fibroblasts and determined the optimum
conditions of electrical stimulation.

METHOD:

An inverted 35mm dish containing cell suspensions (3×105 primary human skin fibroblasts, DMEM, and
10% FBS) was placed on the centre of a 100mm dish. The 35mm dish was removed 24 hours later, and
culture medium was added to the 100mm dish. Fibroblasts were randomised (double-blind) into three
groups, where electrical stimulation was given at varying intensities: 0UA (control), 50UA, and 100UA.
Electrical stimulation (frequency=0.3Hz) was conducted, for a duration of 4 hours, with platinum
electrodes in a CO2 incubator. We took pictures immediately before and 20 hours after stimulation. We
calculated the migration ratio to the negative pole by dividing the area of attached fibroblasts after
stimulation with that before stimulation.

RESULTS:

The migration ratio to the negative pole was significantly higher in the 100UA group than in the control
group (p<0.05). The ratios were 0.902±0.292 in the control group, 1.128±0.253 in the 50UA group, and
1.24±0.300 in the 100UA group.

CONCLUSION:

This study observed the change in cell proliferation during the initial 24-hour period after plating and was
thus able to quantitatively evaluate the migration. The results suggest that a low-intensity direct current
promotes migration to the negative pole of human dermal fibroblasts, which is charged with positive
electricity. Several clinical reports using the methods in this study showed the microcurrent efficacy for
pressure ulcer healing. Electrical stimulation based on our in vitro experiment might be important for the
development of physical therapy for pressure ulcers.

PMID:

22240927

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE