title: Effects of a low-voltage static electric field on energy metabolism in astrocytes.
abstract: Mouse astrocytes (glial cells) in primary cultures were exposed to a low-voltage static DC electric field with no current flow and thus with no generation of magnetic fields. The electric field altered the rate of glycolysis, measured by 2-deoxyglucose accumulation. The magnitude and direction of this effect depended on the polarization of the field and the applied voltage. The maximum effect was an increase of approximately 30%, which occurred with field across the cells at an intensity that can be calculated to be 0.3 mV/cm or less. Reversal of the polarization converted the stimulation to a small but statistically significant inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hertz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000378:metabolism; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006019:Glycolysis; D051379:Mice; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003847:Deoxyglucose; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase