Neurobiological effects of pulsed magnetic field on diabetes‐induced neuropathy

Abstract

In the clinic, although several pharmacological agents or surgical procedures are used to treat diabetes and diabetes-induced neuropathic pain, their success has been limited. Therefore, development of different alternatives in treatments is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) in improving signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In this study, the effects of PMF treatment were investigated in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced acute and chronic diabetic rats by measuring the thermal latencies, mechanical thresholds, whole blood glucose levels and body weights. After STZ administration to rats, blood glucose level elevated and body weight decreased. Although PMF treatment did not affect changes in body weight, the blood glucose levels of PMF-treated diabetic rats exhibited a decrease during the treatments. Diabetic animals displayed marked decrease in mechanical thresholds and thermal latencies. While treatment of PMF partially restored the mechanical thresholds and thermal latency in acute diabetic rats, PMF caused a corrective effect on only mechanical threshold of chronic diabetic rats. These results suggested that treatment of PMF can potentially ameliorate the painful symptoms of diabetes, such as hyperalgesia and allodynia, by partially preventing the hyperglycemia.

Effects of 180 mT static magnetic fields on diabetic wound healing in rats

“…Similar results were also reported in several previous studies, which proved the reliability of this method as an effective diabetic model [Pospisilik et al, 2003;Mert et al, 2010]. However, SMF exposure did not present any impact on serum glucose of diabetic rats throughout the experimental period, suggesting that 180 mT local SMF exposure had no effect on insulin secretion or pancreatic b-cells of diabetic rats [Rosmalen et al, 2002].…”

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in blood and liver of diabetic rats

“…The rats were exposed to PEMF by applying a consecutive pulse train at four different frequencies (1,10,20, and 40 Hz) in three series. The transition period of each pulse train was four minutes, followed by one minute of rest.…”

“…Nevertheless, electromagnetic field therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, delayed union fractures, and ischemic disorders of the lower extremities. Moreover, electromagnetic field therapy has shown promising effects in multiple sclerosis, peripheral facial paralysis, craniofacial pain, spasticity, and degenerative diseases of the retina (9), as well as having positive effects on blood glucose and calcium levels, the latter of which affects insulin secretion in diabetes (10). Low-frequency PEMF application had significant benefits in the treatment of resistant peripheral neuropathic pain, as well as reductions in subjective symptoms, and increases in nerve conduction functions and quality of life (11).…”

Pulsed magnetic fields enhance the rate of recovery of damaged nerve excitability

“…Experimental groups were determined in accordance with our previous studies [Mert et al, 2004[Mert et al, , 2010 and several pilot studies. In this study we used two sham crush surgery groups (sham PMF (SPMF)-treated 15 dpc (n ¼ 6) and SPMF-treated 38 dpc (n ¼ 6)).…”

“…PMF application to rats was performed as previously described [Mert et al, , 2010. Before the PMF treatment, all rats were acclimated to their environment for 1 week.…”