A pulsing electric field (PEF) increases human chondrocyte proliferation through a transduction pathway involving nitric oxide signaling.
Fitzsimmons RJ, Gordon SL, Kronberg J, Ganey T, Pilla AA. · 2008
View Original AbstractBrief electric field exposure triggered 150% increase in cell growth through a documented biological pathway involving calcium and nitric oxide signaling.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human cartilage cells (chondrocytes) to pulsed electric fields for 30 minutes and found the cells multiplied 150% more than untreated cells after 72 hours. The study identified the biological pathway responsible: the electric fields triggered calcium signaling, which produced nitric oxide, which ultimately stimulated cell growth. This demonstrates that electric fields can directly influence cellular processes through well-understood biochemical mechanisms.
Why This Matters
This research provides crucial insight into how electromagnetic fields interact with living cells at the molecular level. The science demonstrates that even brief electric field exposure can trigger cascading biochemical changes that persist for days afterward. What makes this study particularly significant is that it maps out the complete biological pathway - from initial calcium signaling through nitric oxide production to eventual DNA synthesis. This isn't just correlation; it's a clear cause-and-effect mechanism. The reality is that our cells are constantly exposed to artificial electric fields from power lines, appliances, and electronic devices. While this particular study used cartilage cells and doesn't directly translate to health effects, it shows that the idea of EMF having 'no biological effect' is simply incorrect. Your cells are responding to these fields whether you feel it or not.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 30 min
Study Details
It was the objective of this study to determine whether the PEF signal could have a direct effect on chondrocytes in vitro.
This study shows that a 30-min PEF treatment can increase DNA content of chondrocyte monolayer by ap...
Taken together, these results suggest the transduction pathway for PEF-stimulated chondrocyte proliferation involves nitric oxide and the production of nitric oxide may be the result of a cascade that involves calcium, calmodulin, and cGMP production.
Show BibTeX
@article{rj_2008_a_pulsing_electric_field_1585,
author = {Fitzsimmons RJ and Gordon SL and Kronberg J and Ganey T and Pilla AA.},
title = {A pulsing electric field (PEF) increases human chondrocyte proliferation through a transduction pathway involving nitric oxide signaling.},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1002/jor.20590},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jor.20590},
}