Conclusions
Application of a high-intensity electromagnetic field in a porcine model results in adipocyte apoptosis. The analysis of serum levels suggests that HIFEM treatment influences fat and muscle metabolism. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:47-53, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Methods
Yorkshire pigs (N = 2) received one treatment (30 minutes) in the abdominal area using a High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) device. Punch biopsy samples of fat tissue and blood samples were collected at the baseline, 1 and 8 hours after the treatment. Biopsy samples were sectioned and evaluated for the levels of an apoptotic index (AI) by the TUNEL method. Statistical significance was examined using the rANOVA and Tukey's test (α 5%). Biopsy samples were also assessed for molecular biomarkers. Blood samples were evaluated to determine changes related to fat and muscle metabolism. Free fatty acids (FFA), triacylglycerol (TG), glycerol and glucose (Glu) were used as the main biomarkers of fat metabolism. Creatinine, creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and interleukin 6 (IL6) served as the main biomarkers to evaluate muscle metabolism.
Results
In treated pigs, a statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index (AI) (P = 1.17E-4) was observed. A significant difference was found between AI at baseline (AI = 18.75%) and 8-hours post-treatment (AI = 35.95%). Serum levels of fat and muscle metabolism indicated trends (FFA -0.32 mmol · l-1 , -28.1%; TG -0.24 mmol · l-1 , -51.8%; Glycerol -5.68 mg · l-1 , -54.8%; CK +67.58 μkat · l-1 , +227.8%; LDH +4.9 μkat · l-1 ,+35.4%) suggesting that both adipose and muscle tissue were affected by HIFEM treatment. No adverse events were noted to skin and surrounding tissue. Conclusions: Application of a high-intensity electromagnetic field in a porcine model results in adipocyte apoptosis. The analysis of serum levels suggests that HIFEM treatment influences fat and muscle metabolism. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:47-53, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.