Abstract: The aim of this survey was to provide background theory based on
previous research to elucidate the potential pathway by which medical
devices using extremely low-frequency high-voltage electric fields
(ELF-HVEF) exert therapeutic effects on the human body, and to increase
understanding of the AC high-voltage electrotherapeutic apparatus for
consumers and suppliers of the relevant devices. Our review revealed that an
ELF field as weak as 1-10 μ V/m can induce diverse alterations of
membrane proteins such as transporters and channel proteins, including
changes in Ca + + binding to a specific site of the cell surface,
changes in ion (e.g., Ca + + ) influx or efflux, and alterations in the
ligand-receptor interaction. These alterations then induce cytoplasmic
responses within cells (Ca + + , cAMP, kinases, etc.) that can have
impacts on cell growth, differentiation, and other functional properties by
promoting the synthesis of macromolecules. Moreover, increased cytoplasmic
Ca + + involves calmodulin-dependent signaling and consequent Ca + +
/calmodulin-dependent stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis. This event in
turn induces the nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway, which may be an
essential factor in the observed physiological and therapeutic responses.
Keywords: Low-frequency high-voltage electric fields, cell signaling, nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway, electromagnetic fields
