Electroceutical technology: Anti-inflammatory effects of 40-160 T/s inductively coupled electrical stimulation (ICES) in the acute inflammation model

Electromagnetic therapies (sic: electroceuticals) have been studied and used for many years as a treatment for many ailments including chronic and acute pain, inflammation, muscle atrophy, non-union bone fractures, as well as peripheral and central neuropathies1. Presently we seek to explore the realm of inductively coupled electrical stimulation (ICES) which is a subclass of pulsed electromagnetic field therapies (PEMFs) that uses rapidly changing electromagnetic fields to induce current flows in tissues. Such fields are hypothesized to act via various mechanisms. However, in the present we seek to clarify the often ambiguous and confusing literature regarding ICES mechanisms by conducting a scholarly review by which we then provide a dose reporting scheme for accurately describing the relevant parameters required to fully define ICES treatments. Based on our review and experience, we hypothesize that ICES requires very specific parameters to function appropriately. We seek to ascertain the efficacy of 40-160 Tesla/second (T/s) ICES stimulation as an anti-inflammatory therapy. A specific mechanism explored is the calcium/calmodulin (Ca/CaM) pathway implicated in the literature. Our results bring into question the scientific methods of previously reported results by suggesting that nitric oxide levels in vitro fall below detection limits of commonly used methods for gauging Ca/CaM modulation by ICES. In an effort to elucidate the efficacy of ICES as an anti-inflammatory, we make use of the well-established carrageenan footpad edema (CFE) model in rats. The CFE model provides a spontaneously-resolving, acute inflammation model with a very well understood progression and biochemical mechanism. Our results indicate that 40-160 T/s ICES provides statistically significant, repeatable CFE reduction (P < 0.05) as measured by plethysmometry with no observed detrimental side-effects. Further work should focus on elucidating mechanism, evaluating safety, and exploring other potential applications--such as treating chronic conditions. The present studies support ICES as having the potential to provide life-changing therapy to individuals suffering from acute inflammation and pain. Given carefully conducted research in the future, we feel that ICES may revolutionize modern medicine not only from a treatment standpoint, but from the standpoint of understanding basic human electrophysiology and biochemistry.