Original Paper
Changes in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mRNA Expression and Collagen Release in Cultured Human Dermal Fibroblasts by Electrical Stimulation
2021 Volume 51 Issue 5 Pages 171-177
Details
2021 Volume 51 Issue 5 Pages 171-177
Background: Under the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers Guidelines, electrical stimulation (ES) is accorded a B rating in the treatment of pressure ulcers (PrU). The optimal conditions for application of ES remain to be determined, however.
Objective: The optimal conditions for application of ES were investigated. Expression of VEGF mRNA and release of type-I collagen in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) was determined following ES.
Methods: The NHDF were cultured using a transwell co-culture system and then subjected to ES for 40 min in step pulses (duration, 250 ms; frequency, 2 Hz) or by direct current (DC) at an intensity up to 400μA. Direct current stimulation was applied in the horizontal or vertical directions. Levels of VEGF mRNA were quantitated by qRT-PCR. The type-I collagen level in the cultured medium was measured by ELISA.
Results: The VEGF mRNA level was higher in the 400 μA ES (DC, horizontal as well as vertical) group than in the non-ES group (p＜0.05). Expression of VEGF mRNA also showed a significant increase in a current intensity-dependent manner with horizontal stimulation in step pulses (intensity 0 vs. 400 μA: p＜ 0.05). The type-I collagen level was higher in the 400 μA DC stimulation group than in the control or 100 μA ES group (p＜0.01).
Conclusions: Both parameters investigated showed a significant increase following ES at 400μA. The optimal condition for ES in the treatment of PrU requires further investigation.
