Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40432364›Full record

ArticleAnnals of dermatology2025

Electrical Stimulation Using a Low-Frequency and Low-Intensity Alternating Current Modulates Type I Procollagen Production and MMP-1 Expression in Dermal Fibroblasts.

Bo Mi Kang, Jung Min Ahn, Jieun Kim, Kyungho Paik, Bo Ri Kim, Dong Hun Lee, Sang Woong Youn, Keun-Yong Eom, Chong Won Choi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Comprehensive Update on Keloid Management.Archives of plastic surgery · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Bo Mi KangDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2023-3971
Jung Min AhnDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6068-2415
Jieun KimInstitute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6612-8414
Kyungho PaikDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5706-2371
Bo Ri KimDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2223-1606
Dong Hun LeeInstitute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2925-3074
Sang Woong YounDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5602-3530
Keun-Yong EomDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. 978sarang@hanmail.net.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3650-1133
Chong Won ChoiDepartment of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9994-8819

Funding

Seoul National University 800-20210284Seoul National University Bundang Hospital 02-2024-0016
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite various therapeutic modalities for keloids have been introduced; however, their therapeutic effects are limited. Therefore, the development of a new approach for inhibiting collagen production by scar fibroblasts is needed.

objectiveTo investigate the effect of electrical stimulation using a low-frequency and low-intensity alternating current on collagen and MMP-1 levels in human dermal fibroblasts.

methodsLow-frequency (20 kHz) and low-intensity (1 V/cm) electrical stimulations were applied to primary dermal fibroblasts. The production of type I procollagen and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 were evaluated. Transcriptomic analyses were conducted to explore the possible modes of action of electrical stimulation.

resultsElectrical stimulation effectively suppressed type I procollagen production and increased MMP-1 expression. In addition, transcriptomic analyses revealed that electrical stimulation altered the gene expression associated with membrane permeability and the structure of cellular membranes. Validation using real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that electrical stimulation significantly altered the expression of mechanosensitive ion channels (

conclusionElectrical stimulation using low-frequency and low-intensity alternating currents effectively modulates extracellular matrix homeostasis by altering the cellular membrane structure and function. Our findings suggest a promising therapeutic approach for the management of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Indexed as

Electrical stimulationExtracellular matrixFibroblastMatrix metalloproteinase-1Procollagen

Identifiers

PMID40432364
PMCPMC12117547

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.