Hypertrophic scars and keloids are caused by excessive dermal fibrosis — an imbalance in wound-healing where myofibroblasts overproduce collagen and fail to undergo apoptosis. Existing treatments (steroids, laser, radiotherapy, surgery) often yield limited results or high recurrence. This study examined whether Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer (CRET) radiofrequency at 448 kHz could modulate fibrotic markers, particularly extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and inflammatory pathways, in human myofibroblast cultures under non-thermal conditions.
Human dermal fibroblasts were differentiated into myofibroblasts via TGF-β1 stimulation, then treated with subthermal CRET exposure (100 µA/mm², 448 kHz) for 12–48 hours using an INDIBA Activ HCR 902 device.
Evaluations included:
Exposure to 448 kHz CRET currents produced a clear reduction in fibrotic markers and pro-inflammatory activity while enhancing controlled ECM remodeling. The expression of α-SMA, a myofibroblast activation marker, decreased by 20–38% (p = 0.011), while collagen I and collagen III levels dropped by approximately 23% and 16%, respectively, compared with untreated controls. These reductions were accompanied by a 63% increase in MMP9 expression at 24 hours (p < 0.01), indicating a stimulatory effect on collagen degradation and remodeling. Importantly, ERK1/2 activity was significantly reduced at 12 hours, reflecting the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation signaling, while NF-κB activation, a key mediator of inflammation, decreased markedly between 12 and 24 hours (p < 0.01). Despite these molecular shifts, cell proliferation and migration remained stable, with only a mild 4% reduction in growth, confirming that the treatment was non-damaging and regulatory rather than destructive.
Tecar therapy at 448 kHz exerts distinct anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory actions by downregulating α-SMA and collagen synthesis, promoting matrix remodeling via MMP9 upregulation, and suppressing pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathways—all without thermal injury or cytotoxic effects. These findings demonstrate that Tecar currents can restore normal fibroblast regulation and prevent excessive scarring, positioning Tecar therapy as a promising non-invasive, bioelectrically driven approach to reducing fibrosis and improving tissue regeneration.
