Keywords galvanic current - in vitro electrolysis - in vivo electrolysis - pH
Introduction
In recent years, the popularity of percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) has increased
for the application of invasive physical therapy treatments. The theoretical model
of the biological effects of PNE states that a galvanic current (GC) applied through
a solid metal needle causes an inflammatory response in the treated tissue, favoring
its repair.[1 ] This inflammatory response is described as being caused by a local, non-thermal,
electrochemical reaction, which uses the cathode needle as the treatment electrode.[2 ] Biological tissues and body compartments basically contain water (H2 O) and salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl). Applying a GC through the cathode generates
an electrolytic dissociation of NaCl and H2 O, producing gases and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), colloquially known as “caustic soda,”
with an extremely alkaline pH.[1 ] The generation of the inflammatory response in the tissues mentioned above is attributed
to this compound.[2 ] Despite evidence of NaCl electrolysis, there are no studies evaluating the typical
pH change of tissues (pH = 7.2) toward more alkaline values. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to determine whether NaCl electrolysis causes a change in tissue pH.
Material and Methods
The study was conducted at the Histology and Neurobiology Unit (UHN) of the Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Rovira i Virgili University, in Reus. This
experiment comprised both in vitro and in toto experiments. Adult male mice were used,
aged 40 days old. The mice were treated according to the regulations of the European
Community Council Directive of November 1986 (86/609/EEC) for the handling of laboratory
animals. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Rovira i Virgili
University with reference number 0259GC. These mice were anaesthetized with 0.7 ml
of intraperitoneal tribromoethanol (TBE 2%: 2 g of Tribromoethanol in 100 ml of bi-distilled
water). To verify that the mouse was sedated, the inexistence of the ocular and plantar
reflex was assessed. All the experiments were performed in the laboratory, maintaining
a constant temperature of 26° and a humidity of 50%. Physio Invasiva® needles (PRIM
Physio. C/ F n° 15, Polígono Industrial n°1 - 28938. Móstoles, Spain) measuring 0.30 mm × 40 mm
were used in all procedures. The evaluated protocol was 3 mA for 3 seconds and 3 repetitions
(3:3:3) as this is a typical dosage in clinical applications of percutaneous needle
electrolysis.[3 ]
[4 ] The equipment used to generate the GC was Physio Invasiva® CE0120 (PRIM Physio.
C/ F n° 15, Polígono Industrial n°1 - 28938. Móstoles, Spain).
pH Assessment
pH changes were evaluated in vitro, in a test tube, using the gastrocnemius muscles
of mice. All pH measurements were made with the Crison GLP 21+ pH meter (Crison Instruments,
SA. Riera Principal, 34, 36. E-08328 Alella, Spain).
The in vitro experiments were performed under three study conditions. In the first
study condition, the effect of the 3:3:3 GC treatment protocol was evaluated, with
10 seconds between applications, by immersing the needles in Eppendorf® tubes filled
with Ringer's solution (NaCl 137 mM, KCl 5 mM, NaHCO3 12 mM, Na2 HPO4 1 mM, CaCl2 2 mM, MgSO4 1 mM). These Eppendorf® tubes contained Ringer's solution at a volume of 0.6 ml.
The pH was determined for each vial before applying the current. The pH of the cathode
(four tubes) and the anode (four tubes) was determined. An agar-filled glass bridge
(3.5% agar at 137 mM NaCl) was used to electrically communicate the two Eppendorf®
tubes (1 for the cathode, 1 for the anode) keeping the effect of each pole isolated
([Fig. 1.A ]). Once the protocol was applied, the contents of each group of tubes were collected
and grouped into a single test tube for the anodes and another for the cathodes (total
volume 2.4 ml). The pH was then determined. This procedure was repeated three times
with three sets of needles and test tubes on each occasion.
Fig. 1 In vitro pH study. (A ). The anode and cathode were immersed in Eppendorf® tubes filled with Ringer's Solution
or saline, according to protocol 1 or 3. The 2 tubes were connected by a glass bridge
filled with conductive agar. (B ). An experiment performed with Ringer but in very small volumes. As in the previous
figure, the anode and cathode are immersed in Ringer's solution and the tubes are
electrically connected by glass bridges filled with conductive agar. In vivo pH study.
(C). With the mouse anesthetized, in prone position and the hind legs stretched and
waxed, the needle is inserted. Insertion is performed in the distal direction on each
gastrocnemius. For each animal, the right gastrocnemius was treated (the cathode was
inserted) and the left gastrocnemius was used as a control. The needle used as the
anode was inserted at the base of the tail. In all cases, 3 mA galvanic current (CG)
was applied for 3 seconds repeated 3 times (3:3:3).
In the second experiment, the pH changes of the Ringer's solution exposed to the 3:3:3
GC treatment protocol were evaluated in a very small volume of 100µl ([Fig. 1.B ]). As in the previous situations, a conventional test tube was used for the pH readings,
one for the Ringer's solution exposed to the cathode and one for the anode. Subsequently
2 ml of Ringer's solution was poured into each test tube and the pH was determined.
The contents of each test tube were poured into the 100µl test tubes which were distributed
into two groups: cathode (n = 20) and anode (n = 20). An agar-filled glass bridge (3.5% agar at 137 mM NaCl) was used to communicate
the electric current between the two test tubes, keeping the effect of each pole isolated.
Once the protocol was applied, the contents of each group of test tubes were collected
and deposited in the conventional test tube and the pH measurements were made. This
procedure was repeated three times with test tubes, 100µl test tubes and new needles.
For the third experiment, the procedure described in the first experiment was repeated,
however the Ringer's solution was replaced with saline solution (SF; H2 O + NaCl 0.9%). This procedure was also repeated three times with test tubes, Eppendorf®
test tubes and new needles on each occasion.
During the in toto animal experiments, (see [Fig. 1.C ]) Physio Invasiva® needles of 0.30 mm × 40 mm were used. The same treatment protocol
was applied: 3:3:3, leaving 10 seconds between applications. With the mouse previously
anesthetized, in prone position and the hind legs stretched and waxed, the needle
was inserted from the proximal end to the distal insertion of each gastrocnemius,
the left side was used as the control group and the right side was used as the treatment
group. The gastrocnemius muscles were then removed and freed of connective tissue
(tendons and fascia). To avoid a possible diffusion of substances throughout the entire
muscle volume, only the area of the muscle where the inserted needles were located
was dried out. The sample was then weighed and Ringer's solution was added in a ratio
of 1 g of muscle to 2 g of Ringer's solution. Then, the samples were ground up using
a VWR /VDI 12 homogenizer (VWR International Eurolab, S.L. C/ De la Tecnología, 5–17
A7 08450 Llinars del Vallès). Finally, the pH of the tube corresponding to each experiment
was determined.
Statistical Analysis
SPSS v17.0 © statistical software was used to analyze the results. The values were
expressed as the mean ± SD. To evaluate differences between groups, the Student's
t -test was used. Differences were considered significant if p < 0.05.
Results
pH Study
To mimic the normal biological environment, experiments were performed with normal,
pre-oxygenated Ringer's solution. This solution is rich in ions and sugars and with
a pH within the physiological range. The pH was determined before and after applying
the 3:3:3 GC to the Ringer's solution exposed to the cathode and to the Ringer's solution
exposed to the anode. In both cases, there was no variation in pH (≈ 1.15% variation,
n = 3 readings, p > 0.05 from initial values in both cases; see [Table 1 ]).
Table 1
After GC
Solution
Volume
Before
Cathode
Anode
Ringer Normal Oxygenated
0.6 ml
6.13 ± 0.07
6.20 ± 0.20
6.20 ± 0.10
100 µl
6.16 ± 0.03
6.90 ± 0.10
7.10 ± 0.05
NaCl (0.9%)
0.6 ml
5,90 ± 0.04
10.09 ± 0.20[* ]
3.90 ± 0.50[* ]
The lack of results led us to suppose that the NaOH generated was very low for the
volume of liquid used and therefore it was excessively diluted. Therefore, a set of
experiments was designed with a very reduced volume of liquid ([Fig. 1.B ]; see experiment number two in Material and Methods). On this occasion, the initial
pH of Ringer's solution was also determined and after applying a GC following a 3:3:3
protocol to the cathode (12.01% variation) and Ringer's solution exposed to the anode
(15.26% variation), no significant pH variations were obtained, (n = 3 readings, p > 0.05 compared with the initial values in both cases; see [Table 1 ]).
Since electrolysis is a phenomenon based on the dissociation of water and salt, we
decided to carry out experiments in 0.9% NaCl saline solution. The pH after applying
GC 3:3:3 increased by 70% in the SF of the cathode and in parallel, the pH of the
anode decreased by 34% (n = 3 determinations, p < 0.05 compared with initial values in both cases; see [Table 1 ]).
For the in vivo experiments, the 3 mA protocol based on 3 seconds and 3 applications
was applied in the right gastrocnemius of three mice and compared with the results
obtained in the left leg, control. No change was obtained (% variation: 0.00 ± 0.00).
Discussion
The literature on this subject explains that when two electrodes are immersed in a
conductive medium and a direct current (galvanic current) passes between them, electrochemical
reactions take place around the electrodes and in the medium containing the same.[5 ] The present study found that the pH change only takes place in a simple solution
of NaCl. Using normal oxygenated Ringer's solution, no pH change was observed, neither
did this occur with a live sample. However, an increase of protons in the area of
the anode, i.e., acidic pH, and a decrease around the cathode, i.e., alkaline pH,
is described. These extreme pHs can, in some cases cause denaturation of proteins,
even cell death. For example, Eva Nilsson et al,[6 ] working with GCs applied using platinum electrodes, described that the most important
reaction that occurs is the decomposition of water into H2 and hydroxyl ions (OH-) (formulated as: 2H2 O + 2e- ↔ H2 + 2OH- ). It is well known that during the application of GC, hydrogen bubbles are formed
in the cathode needle. This accumulates in the tissue surrounding the needle and some
escapes along the line where the needle is inserted. Under physiological conditions,
this gas has a low electrochemical reactivity and its possible effect is limited to
a mechanical effect related to pressure.[7 ] However, when this hydrogen combines with oxygen to form hydroxyl, this ion can
cause tissue destruction, however, under biological conditions the tissue buffering
systems, including bicarbonate, proteins and organic phosphate, are capable of neutralizing
the destructive role of this ion.[6 ] Bicarbonate is a buffer system present in plasma and interstitial fluid. When a
tissue is exposed to strong alkalinity, the bicarbonate buffer system acts as an open
system allowing it to compensate for the changes.[8 ] In the experiments of the present work the pH did not change when working with the
normal oxygenated Ringer's solution. This solution is isotonic and has an ionic set
with a discrete oncotic and pH buffering capacity. It is possible that the ex vivo
experiments made with Ringer's solution may have been buffered while with simple saline
solution this did not occur and therefore this produced the change of pH.
In addition, proteins, via the prosthetic groups (non-amino acidic component of proteins
that is necessary for this to be functional) also contribute toward cushioning the
changes that hydrogen can generate.[6 ] Finally, the buffering role of the organic phosphate present in the adenosine triphosphate
molecule (ATP; very present in muscle tissue) should be highlighted. Most likely,
the experiments performed in the present study using muscle samples did not show any
variation in pH possibly due to the buffering effect of proteins and ATP.[6 ]
A pioneering work by Li et al[9 ] applied a GC protocol of 8.5 Volts at 30 mA during 69 minutes, obtaining changes
in the concentrations of Na+ and K+ ions in the cathode (pH = 12.9) and the Cl− concentrations in the anode (pH = 2.1). Subsequently, several papers were published[5 ]
[7 ]
[10 ] that considered the pH change as being the main mechanism of necrosis in tissues
treated with electrical currents. This change in pH within the human body requires
a temporary application of ∼30 minutes to achieve these effects and also requires
both electrodes to be present in the treated tissue. In the present study, the GC
used was of much lower amperage (3 mA) and the duration only lasted a few seconds.
It is possible that the low values used in this study failed to generate a sufficient
change in pH to be detected and that it is also easily buffered.
In summary, the pH changes detected in saline could have occurred because there were
no ionic buffers such as in the Ringer's solution or no biological buffers as in the
muscle experiments. Additionally, the amperage and duration used were too low to generate
a large change in pH and this is easily buffered by the Ringer's solution or biological
tissues.
According to our study findings, the clinical benefits obtained via treatment using
the 3 mA protocol for 3 seconds and 3 repetitions do not come significantly from the
pH, rather from other sources such as changes in the membrane potential of the cells
in the treated tissues. For example, since the 1950s the activity of osteocytes and
osteoblasts is known to depend on variations in membrane potential.[11 ] This is still a current topic today (see the book by Zhao [12 ]). Many other tissues benefit from changes in the membrane potential of their cells,
such as the skin[13 ]
[14 ] or the cornea cells.[15 ] Furthermore, it is known that cells involved in the inflammatory or immune response
such as lymphocytes[16 ] or macrophages[17 ] are attracted by the galvanic current. Immediate and transient local vasodilation
in medium and small caliber vessels have been described after the application of GC[18 ] which would expedite the arrival of these cells. Given the involvement of cells
in the inflammatory response, the participation of the NLRP3/ASC/CASP1 inflammasome
could also be proposed, which generates an increased release of interleukin (IL)-1β,
from the ionic decompensation caused by the GC in the resident macrophages in the
tissue, generating a drop in intracellular potassium (K+ ),[19 ] and thus inducing the first pro-inflammatory phase of tissue regeneration.
In this sense, the minimal changes found in local pH fail to support the electrochemical
hypothesis and are not sufficient to justify the inflammatory response associated
with percutaneous needle electrolysis.
However, given the small radius of action of the electrical current around the needle
tip, it would be interesting to evaluate the local pH as initially described by Eva
Nilsson et al,[6 ] mentioned above, using galvanic current applied to the tissue using platinum electrodes.
Conclusion
The GC used in percutaneous needle electrolysis applied according to the established
3 mA, 3 seconds and 3 applications parameters, generates very small changes in the
pH in the area near the needle, which the body is able to compensate for in a short
period of time. The relevance of pH changes in a tissue treated with GC is linked
to the intensity and time parameters, which in the present study reproduced the usual
form of clinical application, so the therapeutic effects do not seem to be linked
to pH changes, but rather to other factors.
