Effect of non-thermal radio frequency burst-type electromagnetic field irradiation on the microcirculation and vascular contractility.

We investigated the effects of non-thermal radio frequency burst-type EMF irradiation on blood circulation of the rat in vivo. Ｉｎ order to investigate the cellular mechanisms, we also examined the direct effect of EMF irradiation on the contractility of oxgan-supplying artery and conduit artery and on endothelial function. EMF irradiation was achieved with an EMF generator coil used with 10-15 V peak-to-peak voltage. Changes in blood flow and blood mass in the rat liver were monitored with a laser Dopper flowmeter. Vascular contractility was measured in artery strips with a force transducer. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+] I) in endothelial cells was monitored in situ on the bovine aortic valve strips by front-surface fluorometry of fura-2. EMF irradiation induced slight increase of hepatic blood flow without affecting blood mass. However, EMF irradiation had no direct effect on the vascular contratility and on the [Ca2+]I levels in endothelial cells in situ. Our results indicate that EMF irradiation may play a minor role in the regulation of microcirculation.

electromagnetic field

hepatic blood flow

vascular contractility

endothelial function

vascular smooth muscle