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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 294/1/H50    most recent 00529.2007v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morris, C. E. Articles by Skalak, T. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Morris, C. E. Articles by Skalak, T. C.

Acute exposure to a moderate strength static magnetic field reduces edema formation in rats

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia

Submitted 3 May 2007 ; accepted in final form 1 November 2007

External application of static magnetic fields (SMF), used specifically for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as soft tissue injuries, has recently become popular as a complementary and/or alternative therapy with minimal investigation into efficacy or mechanism. Localized inflammation was induced via injection of inflammatory agents -carrageenan (CA) or histamine into rat hindpaws, alone or in conjunction with pharmacological agents, resulting in a spatially and temporally defined inflammatory reaction. Application of a 10- or 70-mT, but not a 400-mT, SMF for 15 or 30 min immediately following histamine-induced edema resulted in a significant, 20–50% reduction in edema formation. In addition, a 2-h, 70-mT field application to CA-induced edema also resulted in significant (33–37%) edema reduction. Field application before injection or at the time of maximal edema did not influence edema formation or resolution, respectively. Together, these results suggest the existence of a therapeutic threshold of SMF strength (below 400 mT) and a temporal dependence of efficacy. Administration of pharmacological agents directed at nitric oxide signaling and L-type Ca²⁺ channel dynamics in conjunction with SMF treatment and histamine-induced edema revealed that the potential mechanism of SMF action may be via modulation of vascular tone through effects on L-type Ca²⁺ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells.

microvascular tone; tissue swelling