Single millimeter wave treatment does not impair gastrointestinal transit in mice

Abstract

Millimeter wave treatment (MWT) is based on those biological effects that develop following skin exposure to low power electromagnetic waves. This method of treatment is in wide clinical use in several Eastern European countries for treatment of a variety of conditions, including pain syndromes. However, most treatment modes of MWT were developed empirically, and certain indications and contraindications for the use of MWT remain to be established. In our previous blind experiments we have shown that the hypoalgesic effect of MWT may be quantitatively evaluated, and most probably mediated by the neural system in general, and the system of endogenous opioids in particular. Taking in consideration a well-known ability of opioids to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, which could limit clinical application of MWT, the main aim of the present study was to investigate whether a single MWT, that can produce opioid-related hypoalgesia, may also retard gut transit and colorectal passage in mice. The charcoal meal test was used to quantitatively evaluate upper gastrointestinal transit, and the glass bead test was employed to examine colonic propulsion in mice. MWT was applied to the nose area of mice. The MWT characteristics were: frequency = 61.22 GHz; incident power density = 15 mW/cm 2; and duration = 15 min. The results obtained have shown that MWT does not significantly change small intestinal or colonic transit in mice, and thus suppression of gastrointestinal motility should not be a setback in the clinical use of MWT.