Extremely low-frequency electric field suppresses not only induced stress response but also stress-related tissue damage in mice

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 7;10(1):20930. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76106-1.

Abstract

Although extremely low-frequency electric fields (ELF-EF) have been utilised for therapeutic purposes, the biological effect and the underlying mechanism of ELF-EF have not been elucidated. Here, we developed a mouse model of immobilisation-induced increase in glucocorticoid (GC) to evaluate the effect of ELF-EF. Mice were exposed to 50-Hz 10 kV/m EF via a parallel plate electrode and immobilised as needed. The ELF-EF suppressed the immobilisation-induced increase in blood GC level. Here, the results of 32 tests using the model were pooled and analysed. The suppressive effect of ELF-EF on immobilisation-induced increase in GC was reproduced, and the GC level was slightly higher in the ELF-EF-treated mice than in the sham-controlled mice, a novel observation. The immobilisation-induced increase in lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase, markers of tissue damage, was suppressed by co-treatment with EF in the biochemical tests using the same plasma sample. In the metabolome analysis, the changes in corticosterones, leukotrienes, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, markers of inflammation, showed a pattern similar to that of the plasma GC level. Thus, ELF-EF suppresses the stress response that causes an increase in the GC level and slightly promotes GC production in the absence of stress. Moreover, the suppressive effect of ELF-EF on induced stress response might be involved in stress-induced tissue damage or inflammation in immobilised mice. Overall, the model and the data help explore the biological effect of ELF-EF and explain the stress-relieving effect of EF. They would be useful in determining the medical applications of EF in humans and animals.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electricity
  • Electrodes
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Glucocorticoids / blood
  • Magnetic Field Therapy / methods
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Stress, Physiological / radiation effects*
  • Stress, Psychological / blood
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids