Combined radiofrequency electromagnetic and pulsed magnetic field exposure enhances gastric ulcer healing via eNOS-mediated angiogenesis in young rats

BACKGROUND: This study examined whether combined exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) and pulsed magnetic field (PMF)s confers gastroprotective and pro-healing effects in an acute ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model by modulating inflammatory, apoptotic, and regenerative pathways. METHODS: = 8 each). Gastric ulcers were induced by oral ethanol administration (0.5 ml/100 g). Our innovative exposure combination of 30-min active/90-min passive cycles of 27.12 MHz RF-EMF (with electric field intensity of 10 V/m) +continuously 1 Hz PMF (with magnetic field intensity of 0.5 mT) was applied for 7 d. Histopathological scoring evaluated mucosal injury, leukocyte infiltration and hemorrhage. Immunohistochemistry assessed caspase-3 (Cas-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression. Molecular signaling of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Ulcer induction caused pronounced mucosal damage with increased leukocyte infiltration, hemorrhage and marked elevations in Cas-3, IL-6 and TNF-α, along with reduced EGF, while EGF and VEGF remained unchanged. RF-EMF+PMF treatment in ulcerated rats markedly reduced mucosal injury, suppressed inflammatory and apoptotic markers, partially restored EGF and VEGF levels and significantly increased eNOS expression. In non-ulcerated rats, RF-EMF+PMF exposure produced values comparable to those of the control group, indicating no detectable adverse effect on healthy gastric tissue. CONCLUSION: RF-EMF+PMF exposure provides gastroprotective and reparative effects by reducing inflammation, suppressing apoptosis and improving partial microvascular-related signaling. The application did not cause damage to healthy tissue, supporting its safety.