PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELD IN ADJUVANT-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RATS

Previous studies have shown that an electromagnetic field (EMF) induce s anti-inflammatory effect in arthritic patients. In order to understa nd the mechanism that reduces inflammatory changes in the joint, we st udied the effect of EMF on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats. A well characterized model that resembles rheumatoid arthritis in human s, AIA was induced in male albino rats by the intradermal injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant in the right hind paw. A Fransleau-Braunbe ck coil system was used and a frequency of 0.5 Hz and magnetic field o f 1,000 nT were found to be beneficial in reducing the hind paw swelli ng. The activities of myeloperoxidase in bone and of lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and cathepsin D) in both serum and bone of arthriti c rats were significantly higher than in the control rats. The enzyme activities in serum and bone declined significantly in the arthritic g roup exposed to the EMF. This preliminary study indicates that EMF is a potential therapy for the treatment of arthritic patients. Med Sci R es 26:467-469 (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.