EFFECTS OF DIRECT CONSTANT-CURRENT (DC) ON KERATINOCYTES IN-VITRO

This study tests the effects of direct constant electrical current (DC ), proposed for wound healing stimulation, on epidermal repair in vitr o. An in vitro model of human skin keratinocytes (epidermal explants) cultured at an air-liquid interface on a de-epidermized human dermis w as used. Comparison of the extent of epidermal growth between pairs, w here one member of the pair was exposed to DC while other was not, sug gests that the applied DC did not increase epidermal growth (migration and proliferation of keratinocytes) nor influence its differentiation . An indirect effect of the DC application, manifested through changed pH in the vicinity of the anode, was found to significantly modify ke ratinocyte growth in that area.