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Glial cells comprise the majority of cells in the central nervous system and exhibit diverse functions including the development of persistent neuropathic pain. While earlier theories have proposed that the applied electric field specifically affects neurons, it has been demonstrated that electrical stimulation (ES) of neural tissue modulates gene expression of the glial cells. This study examines the effect of ES on the expression of eight genes related to oxidative stress and neuroprotection in cultured rodent glioma cells. Concentric bipolar electrodes under seven different ES types were used to stimulate cells for 30 min in the presence and absence of extracellular glutamate. ES consisted of rectangular pulses at 50 Hz in varying proportions of anodic and cathodic phases. Real-time reverse-transcribed quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine gene expression using the ∆∆Cq method. The results demonstrate that glutamate has a significant effect on gene expression in both stimulated and non-stimulated groups. Furthermore, stimulation parameters have differential effects on gene expression, both in the presence and absence of glutamate. ES has an effect on glial cell gene expression that is dependent on waveform composition. Optimization of ES therapy for chronic pain applications can be enhanced by this understanding.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with 1.6 million new cases reported each year. However, there are few safe, effective, and affordable treatments provided to those affected by this disease. Still under-appreciated as potential pharmaceutical targets, especially for cutaneous leishmaniasis infections, are the two isozymes of secreted acid phosphatase (SAP). These enzymes are involved in the survival of the parasite in the sand fly vector, and in infecting host macrophages. While the application of electric or electromagnetic fields as a medicinal therapeutic is not new, the utility of electric field application for the treatment of leishmaniasis is under studied. Studies involving the effects of electric fields on the cell secretion of SAP or the activity of SAP that has been secreted prior to electrical stimulation have not yet been reported. This work is the first report on the effect of specific electric fields on the activity of Leishmania tarentolae secreted acid phosphatases and the modulation of this secretion from the cells. In addition, the kinetic constants for the enzyme isoforms were determined as a function of days in culture and removal of carbohydrate from the glycosylated enzymes, while using a glycosidase, was shown to affect these kinetic constants.