Biochemical and structural approach to collagen synthesis under electric fields.

The effects of electric fields of different intensities and directions on the collagen synthesis of guinea pigs was studied. The effects of vertical and horizontal electric fields of 1.9 kV/m and 0.9 kV/m, generated with voltages of 300 V and 150 V DC, respectively, on collagen synthesis, was evaluated by assessing the amount of hydroxyproline in the liver tissue, and by histological examination of tissue samples. The Stegemann-Stalder method was used to determine hydroxyproline content of the tissues. While the 0.9 kV/m vertical and horizontal electric fields substantially decreased the amount of hydroxyproline in the liver, the 1.9 kV/m electric fields in both directions increased the hydroxyproline content. The vertical electric field was more effective than the horizontal one both in the increases and the decreases. These findings were verified histologically.