Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the blood circulation in ischemic skin models: A pilot study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on the blood circulation in an ischemic skin model using a laser-speckle contrast-imaging technique. Four rats were divided into a control group and a PEMF group. A cranially based skin flap (5 × 10 cm²) was elevated on the back of the rat. The skin flap was not sutured and the blood velocity of the entire medial surface was measured for 90 min, using a laser-speckle contrast-imaging system. For the PEMF group, a PEMF (1 Hz, 10 mT) was applied to this area during the measurement. The blood flow in the control group continued decreasing from immediately after the operation until after 90 min. However, in the PEMF group, the blood flow decreased more than in the control group until after 60 min. The blood flow increased after 90 min, but it did not recover the initial condition. However, the blood flow in certain vessels in the PEMF group increased more than in the initial condition. In conclusion, we found that a PEMF (1 Hz, 10 mT) may improve blood circulation.

KEYWORDS:

• PEMF
• laser-speckle contrast imaging
• blood velocity
• skin flap
• ischemia

Declaration of Interest

This work was supported by the Yonsei University Wonju Campus Future-Leading Research Initiative of 2017 (2017-52-0075).