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Global Translational Medicine Electrical stimulation in therapy and biology

1. Introduction important in many cellular activities. When applied, ES
can alter the membrane potential, impacting the signaling
Electrical stimulation (ES) is an established area of function and regulating required cellular behaviors,
biomedical research that plays a significant role in regulating such as division and apoptosis. Ion channels within the
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cellular functions and enhancing treatment efficacy membrane respond to electrical currents, enabling the
across various fields. ES leverages the body’s electrical controlled influx and efflux of ions, such as calcium (Ca² ),
+
properties, such as the ability to promote wound healing sodium (Na ), and potassium (K ), which in turn trigger
+
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and nerve regeneration, to modulate cellular activity. It downstream cellular processes. 10
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involves the use of controlled electric currents to influence
cellular behavior, including movement, proliferation, and Bioelectric meridian therapy (BMT) is a relatively recent
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differentiation. A central question in this field is how ES therapy modality that relies on the theoretical framework
communicates with cellular membranes, which serve as of ES. By applying low electric current at specific points
the first line of contact for electrical signals and play a key along the body ’s meridian pathways, BMT can effectively
role in determining cellular responses. 3 relieve muscle tension, remodel damaged cellular tissue,
and reinstate the energy flows along the meridians. This
1.1. Background on ES therapy is based on the traditional Chinese medicine
Researchers have consistently shown much interest in concept of meridians, which are believed to be pathways
the cellular mechanisms that drive physical changes that conduct energy throughout the body. 11
in the body. One of the oldest approaches is ES, which Depending on its impact on the cell membrane,
facilitates cell regeneration and wound healing. ES has through which signals are received, the effectiveness of
evolved over the years and is used in various fields, ES as a treatment is closely tied to how the membrane
including tissue engineering, cancer therapy, and responds. Many studies have indicated that the electrical
neurological intervention. It has been shown to control charge of the cell membrane affects the ion channels and
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a process known as galvanotaxis, a phenomenon where the membrane-bound receptors necessary for growth and
cells migrate directionally in response to an electric repair processes. ES can thereby modulate these pathways
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field of stem and fibroblast cells, which is critical in to improve tissue remodeling and facilitate regeneration.
wound healing and tissue regeneration. Cell membranes For instance, there is evidence that ES facilitates axonal
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primarily determine the ability of ES to modulate cellular regeneration in various neural tissues and enhances
responses, as they regulate the transport of ions and nerve functional recovery in peripheral nerve injury.
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molecules and play a critical role in signal transduction ES activates calcium signaling in muscle cells, which are
pathways (Figure 1). critical for muscle contraction and injury healing, making
1.2. Role of the cell membrane in ES ES beneficial for rehabilitation. 14
The cell membrane is sensitive to extracellular electrical One of the key goals of current ES research is to describe
stimuli due to its composition and organization. The lipid how ES influences specific cellular structures, especially
bilayer consists of proteins, ions, and receptors that regulate the cell membrane. Understanding how the cell membrane
the transfer of charged materials into and out of the cell. regulates the effects of ES may reveal new therapeutic
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This regulation is needed to control the concentrations applications of ES— for example, in suppressing cancer cell
of the ions inside the cell and establish the membrane growth in oncology or directing stem cell differentiation
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potential – the voltage across a membrane – which is very in tissue engineering. By advancing the knowledge of
these mechanisms, researchers aim to develop optimized
ES protocols and parameters to achieve better therapeutic
goals (Figure 2).
The potential applications of ES are extensive, with new
facets of bioelectricity and its effects on living organisms
continually being uncovered. I n regenerative medicine, ES
has been shown to increase the viability of cells responsible
for tissue repair, such as fibroblasts and osteoblasts, and
to accelerate healing rates. ES is also being explored for
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its role in inflammation management. It can influence
immune cell behavior at sites of chronic diseases, such as
arthritis and chronic ulcers. These anti-inflammatory
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Figure 1. Effects of electrical signals on cellular processes properties have made ES a valuable non-invasive tool

Volume 4 Issue 3 (2025) 23 doi: 10.36922/gtm.7774