GSK-3β is essential for physiological electric field-directed Golgi polarization and optimal electrotaxis

Endogenous electrical fields (EFs) at corneal and skin wounds send a powerful signal that directs cell migration during wound healing. This signal therefore may serve as a fundamental regulator directing cell polarization and migration. Very little is known of the intracellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate EF-induced cell polarization and migration. Here, we report that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells show robust directional polarization and migration in a physiological EF (0.3–1 V/cm) in both dissociated cell culture and monolayer culture. An EF of 0.6 V/cm completely abolished cell migration into wounds in monolayer culture. An EF of higher strength (≥1 V/cm) is an overriding guidance cue for cell migration. Application of EF induced quick phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) which reached a peak as early as 3 min in an EF. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) significantly reduced EF-induced directedness of cell migration initially (in 1–2 h). Inhibition of GSK-3β completely abolished EF-induced GA polarization and significantly inhibited the directional cell migration, but at a later time (2–3 h in an EF). Those results suggest that GSK-3β is essential for physiological EF-induced Golgi apparatus (GA) polarization and optimal electrotactic cell migration

Microcurrent application as analgesic treatment in venous ulcers: a pilot study La aplicación de microcorriente como tratamiento en las úlceras venosas: un estudio piloto Aplicação da microcorrente como recurso para tratamento de úlceras venosas: um estudo piloto

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain and area of venous ulcers. In a pilot study for a single-blind controlled clinical trial, carried out at an outpatient clinic during four weeks, 14 subjects with venous ulcers (mean age 62±9 years) were divided in two groups: microcurrent (n=8) and control group (n=6). Pain (by Visual Analogue Scale) and the ulcer area were measured by planimetry. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to pain (microcurrent group from 8.5 (6.5-9.75) to 3.5 (1-4.75) and control group from 7.5 (5.75-10) to 8.5 (5.5-10), p<0.01). Non-significant changes were found with respect to ulcer area (planimetry by graph paper, p=0.41 and by Image J®, p=0.41). In conclusion, the application of microcurrent improves the pain of patients with venous ulcers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01372020).<br>Este estudio objetivó evaluar el efecto de la estimulación eléctrica por microcorriente sobre el dolor y el área de superficie de úlceras venosas. En un estudio piloto para un ensayo clínico controlado simple ciego, realizado en una clínica durante 4 semanas, se dividieron 14 individuos (62±9 años de edad) en dos grupos: grupo microcorriente (n=8) y grupo control (n=6). Se evaluaron el dolor (por medio de la Escala Visual Analógica) y el área de superficie de la úlcera por medio de la Planimetría. Hubo diferencia significativa entre los dos grupos con relación al dolor (grupo de microcorriente de 8,5 (6,5-9,75) para 3,5 (1-4,75) y grupo control de 7,5 (5,75-10) para 8,5 (5,5-10), p<0,01)). No se verificó una diferencia significativa relacionada al área de superficie de la úlcera (Planimetría con papel vegetal, p=0,41 y por el software Image J®, p=0,41). Se concluye que la aplicación de microcorriente mejora el cuadro álgico de individuos con úlceras venosas. Registro ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01372020.<br>O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da estimulação elétrica, por microcorrente, sobre a dor e a área de superfície de úlceras venosas. Em estudo-piloto para um ensaio clínico controlado simples-cego, realizado em uma clínica durante 4 semanas, dividiram-se 14 indivíduos (62±9 anos de idade) em dois grupos: grupo microcorrente (n=8) e grupo-controle (n=6). Avaliaram-se a dor (por meio da Escala Visual Analógica) e a área de superfície da úlcera por meio da Planimetria. Houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos em relação à dor (grupo de microcorrente de 8,5 (6,5-9,75) para 3,5 (1-4,75) e grupo-controle de 7,5 (5,75-10) para 8,5 (5,5-10), p<0,01)). Não se verificou diferença significativa relacionada à área de superfície da úlcera (Planimetria com papel vegetal, p=0,41 e pelo software Image J®, p=0,41). Conclui-se que a aplicação de microcorrente melhora o quadro álgico de indivíduos com úlceras venosas. Registro ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01372020