Extremely Low-frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Research Articles

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) induced alterations in gene expression and cytokine secretion in clear cell renal carcinoma cells.

The study aimed to investigate the influence of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) by assessing alterations in gene expression and the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. Three ccRCC cell lines (786-O, 769-P, and CAKI-1) and a healthy HEK293 cell line were subjected to ELF-EMF exposure (frequency 50 Hz, magnetic field strength 4.5 mT) for 30 min daily for 5 days. The study examined the expression of ADAM28, NCAM1, and VEGFC genes, along with the secretion of 30 cytokines and chemokines. Notably, primary tumor-derived cell lines, but not those from metastatic sites, exhibited ADAM28 gene expression, which increased following ELF-EMF exposure. A statistically significant reduction in VEGFC gene expression was observed in 769-P cells after ELF-EMF exposure. Additionally, NCAM1 gene expression was upregulated in HEK293, 769-P, and 786-O cells, representing normal embryonic kidney cells and primary tumor cells, but not in CAKI-1 cells, which model metastatic sites. After EMF exposure, there was a statistically significant decrease in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) concentration in the cell culture supernatants of HEK293 and CAKI-1 cell lines, with no other significant changes in the secretion of tested cytokines. Given the study's findings and available research, caution is warranted when drawing conclusions about the potential inhibitory effect of ELF-EMF on ccRCC progression. Standardization of experimental models is imperative when assessing the effects of EMF in a human context. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(2):133-141.

P53 status, and G2/M cell cycle arrest, are determining factors in cell-death induction mediated by ELF-EMF in glioblastoma

The average survival of patients with glioblastoma is 12–15 months. Therefore, finding a new treatment method is important, especially in cases that show resistance to treatment. Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have characteristics and capabilities that can be proposed as a new cancer treatment method with low side effects. This research examines the antitumor effect of ELF-EMF on U87 and U251 glioblastoma cell lines. Flowcytometry determined the viability/apoptosis and distribution of cells in different phases of the cell cycle. The size of cells was assessed by TEM. Important cell cycle regulation genes mRNA expression levels were investigated by real-time PCR. ELF-EMF induced apoptosis in U87cells much more than U251 (15% against 2.43%) and increased G2/M cell population in U87 (2.56%, p value < 0.05), and S phase in U251 (2.4%) (data are normalized to their sham exposure). The size of U87 cells increased significantly after ELF-EMF exposure (overexpressing P53 in U251 cells increased the apoptosis induction by ELF-EMF). The expression level of P53, P21, and MDM2 increased and CCNB1 decreased in U87. Among the studied genes, MCM6 expression decreased in U251. Increasing expression of P53, P21 and decreasing CCNB1, induction of cell G2/M cycle arrest, and consequently increase in the cell size can be suggested as one of the main mechanisms of apoptosis induction by ELF-EMF; furthermore, our results demonstrate the possible footprint of P53 in the apoptosis induction by ELF-EMF, as U87 carry the wild type of P53 and U251 has the mutated form of this gene.

Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells: proteomic characterization

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-MF) can modify the cell viability and regulatory processes of some cell types, including breast cancer cells. Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease where a role for ELF-MF cannot be excluded. ELF-MF may influence the biological properties of breast cells through molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are still unclear. This study analyzed the changes in the cell viability, cellular morphology, oxidative stress response and alteration of proteomic profile in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) exposed to ELF-MF (50 Hz, 1 mT for 4 h). Non-tumorigenic human breast cells (MCF-10A) were used as control cells. Exposed MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells increased their viability and live cell number and showed a higher density and length of filopodia compared with the unexposed cells. In addition, ELF-MF induced an increase of the mitochondrial ROS levels and an alteration of mitochondrial morphology. Proteomic data analysis showed that ELF-MF altered the expression of 328 proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells and of 242 proteins in MCF-10A cells. Gene Ontology term enrichment analysis demonstrated that in both cell lines ELF-MF exposure up-regulated the genes enriched in “focal adhesion” and “mitochondrion”. The ELF-MF exposure decreased the adhesive properties of MDA-MB-231 cells and increased the migration and invasion cell abilities. At the same time, proteomic analysis, confirmed by Real Time PCR, revealed that transcription factors associated with cellular reprogramming were upregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells and downregulated in MCF-10A cells after ELF-MF exposure. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells exposed to 1 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF showed modifications in proteomic profile together with changes in cell viability, cellular morphology, oxidative stress response, adhesion, migration and invasion cell abilities. The main signaling pathways involved were relative to focal adhesion, mitochondrion and cellular reprogramming.

Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on the pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae

Numerous works have reported that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) were associated with human health; however, little is known about their effects on the occurrence of agricultural diseases. In this study, Magnaporthe oryzae was used as a model organism, and its pathogenicity under 50 Hz, 3 mT ELF-EMF was studied. Our results showed that the pathogenicity, growth rate, and conidia generation of M. oryzae were enhanced under ELF-EMF exposure. In addition, M. oryzae exposed to ELF-EMF showed enhanced tolerance to cell wall-perturbing agents sodium lauryl sulphate, and increased expression of cell wall integrity-related genes, including RAC1, CDC42, RHO2, and NOX2. In addition, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression level of ROS scavenger system-related gene MoAP1 increased in ELF-EMF-exposed samples, whereas the total antioxidant capacity and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase did not change. Results of our study demonstrated that exposure to 50 Hz, 3 mT ELF-EMF enhanced the infection ability of M. oryzae, which present new important challenges for understanding the effect of ELF-EMF exposure on farmland ecology, especially on agricultural diseases.

The Effect of Time-Dependence of 10 Hz Electromagnetic Field on Spatial Learning and Memory in Rats.

Introduction: In everyday life, electrical devices are the primary sources of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), and the human body may be a great conductor of these fields. We chose alpha band power, especially at 10 Hz frequency, due to its prior beneficial role in memory. The purpose was to clarify whether there is a relationship between ELF-EMF exposure and cognitive deficits in rats, clinical signs, behavioral analysis, and the impact of ELF-EMF during different times of exposure on neuroplasticity via the expression of BDNF. Methods: Forty adult male rats were selected randomly. The rats were exposed to ELF-EMF (10 Hz, 4 mT) for 7 days and 30 days, one hour daily. The expression of BDNF proteins in the hippocampus was evaluated after sacrificing animals to assess learning and memory function. The body weight of rats in the long-term exposed group differed significantly (P<0.05). The level of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus was found by the RT-PCR method. Results: Our findings indicate that exposure to ELF-EMF affects spatial learning and memory and can improve memory, especially with long-term exposure. In addition, we discovered a significant difference in the long-term exposed group (P<0.05), where radiation for 30 days resulted in a substantial rise in BDNF levels. Conclusion: After prolonged exposure, male rats spent more time and traveled a greater percentage of their distance in the target quadrant, demonstrating that long-term exposure improves spatial memory and that 10 Hz might be safe.

A Novel Method to Achieve Precision and Reproducibility in Exposure Parameters for Low-Frequency Pulsed Magnetic Fields in Human Cell Cultures.

The effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure on living systems have been widely studied at the fundamental level and also claimed as beneficial for the treatment of diseases for over 50 years. However, the underlying mechanisms and cellular targets of ELF-MF exposure remain poorly understood and the field has been plagued with controversy stemming from an endemic lack of reproducibility of published findings. To address this problem, we here demonstrate a technically simple and reproducible EMF exposure protocol to achieve a standardized experimental approach which can be readily adopted in any lab. As an assay system, we chose a commercially available inflammatory model human cell line; its response to magnetic fields involves changes in gene expression which can be monitored by a simple colorimetric reporter gene assay. The cells were seeded and cultured in microplates and inserted into a custom-built, semi-automated incubation and exposure system which accurately controls the incubation (temperature, humidity, ) and magnetic-field exposure conditions. A specific alternating magnetic field (<1.0% spatial variance) including far-field reduction provided defined exposure conditions at the position of each well of the microplate. To avoid artifacts, all environmental and magnetic-field exposure parameters were logged in real time throughout the duration of the experiment. Under these extensively controlled conditions, the effect of the magnetic field on the cell cultures as assayed by the standardized operating procedure was highly reproducible between experiments. As we could fully define the characteristics (frequency, intensity, duration) of the pulsed magnetic field signals at the position of the sample well, we were, for the first time, able to accurately determine the effect of changing single ELF-MF parameters such as signal shape, frequency, intensity and duty cycle on the biological response. One signal in particular (10 Hz, duty cycle, rectangular, bipolar, T) provided a significant reduction in cytokine reporter gene expression by in our model cell culture line. In sum, the accuracy, environmental control and data-logging capacity of the semi-automated exposure system should greatly facilitate research into fundamental cellular response mechanisms and achieve the consistency necessary to bring ELF-MF/PEMF research results into the scientific mainstream.

Maternal stress induced anxiety-like behavior exacerbated by electromagnetic fields radiation in female rats offspring.

There is a disagreement on whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have a beneficial or harmful effect on anxiety-like behavior. Prenatal stress induces frequent disturbances in offspring physiology such as anxiety-like behavior extending to adulthood. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of prenatal stress and ELF-EMF exposure before and during pregnancy on anxiety-like behavior and some anxiety-related pathways in the hippocampus of female rat offspring. A total of 24 female rats 40 days of age were distributed into four groups of 6 rats each: control, Stress (rats whose mothers underwent chronic stress), EMF (rats whose mothers were exposed to electromagnetic fields) and EMF/S (rats whose mothers were simultaneously exposed to chronic stress and ELF-EMF). The rats were given elevated plus-maze and open field tests and then their brains were dissected and their hippocampus were subjected to analysis. ELISA was used to measure 24(S)-hydroxy cholesterol, corticosterone, and serotonin levels. Cryptochrome2, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 3B-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2(NMDAr2) and phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2(PNMDAr2) were assayed by immunoblotting. Anxiety-like behavior increased in all treatment groups at the same time EMF increased anxiety induced by maternal stress in the EMF/S group. The stress group showed decreased serotonin and increased corticosterone levels. ELF-EMF elevated the PNMDAr2/NMDAr2 ratio and 24(S)-hydroxy cholesterol compared to the control group but did not change corticosterone. EMF did not restore changes induced by stress in behavioral and molecular tests. The results of the current study, clarified that ELF-EMF can induce anxiety-like behavior which may be attributed to an increase in the PNMDAr2/NMDAr2 ratio and 24(S)-OHC in the hippocampus, and prenatal stress may contribute to anxiety via a decrease in serotonin and an increase in corticosterone in the hippocampus. We also found that anxiety-like behavior induced by maternal stress exposure, is exacerbated by electromagnetic fields radiation.

Improved osteogenic differentiation by extremely low electromagnetic field exposure: possible application for bone engineering.

Human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLSCs) are a promising cell type model for regenerative medicine applications due to their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and non-tumorigenic potentials. Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are reported to affect biological properties such as cell proliferation and differentiation and modulate gene expression profile. In this study, we investigated the effects of an intermittent ELF-EMF exposure (6 h/day) for the standard differentiation period (28 days) and for 10 days in hPDLSCs in the presence or not of osteogenic differentiation medium (OM). We evaluated cell proliferation, de novo calcium deposition and osteogenic differentiation marker expression in sham and ELF-EMF-exposed cells. After ELF-EMF exposure, compared with sham-exposed, an increase in cell proliferation rate (p < 0.001) and de novo calcium deposition (p < 0.001) was observed after 10 days of exposure. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that COL1A1 and RUNX-2 gene expression and COL1A1, RUNX-2 and OPN protein expression were upregulated respectively in the cells exposed to ELF-EMF exposure along with or without OM for 10 days. Altogether, these results suggested that the promotion of osteogenic differentiation is more efficient in ELF-EMF-exposed hPDLSCs. Moreover, our analyses indicated that there is an early induction of hPDLSC differentiation after ELF-EMF application.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase Cytokines in Human Hair Follicles through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling.

Hair loss is a chronic disorder that affects many people; however, a complete treatment has not yet been developed. Therefore, new therapeutic agents for preventing hair loss must be developed, and electromagnetic field (EMF) therapy has been proven to be a promising medical treatment in various fields, including hair loss treatment. This study evaluated the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) intensity and exposure time by analyzing the expression of cytokines and anagen-related molecules, which influence hair activation and growth, in hair bulb spheroid (HBS) and hair follicle (HF) organ cultures. ELF-EMFs did not induce toxicity in the HBSs, as verified via the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Moreover, an ELF-EMF intensity of 5–20 G promoted the expression of ALP, versican, β-catenin, and several cytokines (VEGF, PDGF, FGF-10, and ET-1) in HBSs. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ELF-EMF at an intensity of 5–20 G upregulated ALP and β-catenin and decreased TUNEL staining in HBS. Moreover, HFs exposed to ELF-EMF for 60 min exhibited an increase in hair length and a 1.5-fold increase in IL-4, ICAM-1, ALP, and versican mRNA expression compared to the control. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that 60 min of ELF-EMF can increase the expression of ALP and β-catenin and decreases TUNEL staining in organ cultures. Collectively, our results demonstrated that ELF-EMF exposure at a 10 G intensity for 60 min promoted hair shaft growth in HFs due to the effect of cytokines and adhesion molecules via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, ELF-EMF is a promising treatment for hair loss.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods alters pro-inflammatory cytokines levels by gender

ABSTRACT Maternal exposure to the excessive electromagnetic fields is considered harmful to infants and associated with several health problems in life, such as neurological or immune diseases. In this present study we aimed to investigate the potential effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure during the gestational and lactational period of dams on immune system parameters. The development of white blood cells (WBC), lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and B cells) and production of T cell related cytokines were explored in the offsprings. Significant changes were found in WBC and lymphocyte counts. Although no changes in lymphocyte subunits were observed among groups, CD4+ cells were significantly increased in the female group exposed to ELF-EMF. Also, IL-17A and IFN-γ levels increased in plasma and spleen. The mean IL-4 level and the expression level of the IL-4 gene were not changed, in the experimental groups. But the expression of the IL-17A gene was also upregulated, which supports cytokine quantification analyses. In conclusion, ELF-EMF exposure in the prenatal and postnatal period increases the level of IL-17A in the spleen and blood of young female rats, and it upregulates IL-17 gene expression in the spleen, resulting in CD4+ cell proliferation and inflammation.

Detection of the chemical changes in blood, liver, and brain caused by electromagnetic field exposure using Raman spectroscopy, biochemical assays combined with multivariate analyses

The effects of the electromagnetic field on living organisms have been studied for several years. In this article, we showed what kind of cold change an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure 500 μT 50 Hz by using a Meritt Coil System causes in the samples of the brain and liver samples. To measure oxidative load, we measured malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. To identify the chemical changes, we collected Raman spectra of cerebellum, left brain, right brain and liver tissue from the control group of animals and from the animal, which were exposed to an electromagnetic field (ELF-MF group). Obtained results showed, that lipid peroxidation was increased and the antioxidant response was decreased. In the brain samples the shift of peaks corresponding to the amide III vibrations existed after ELF-MF exposure. Structural changes were detected in CH2 vibrations originating from lipids in both hemispheres. Additionally, the number of amide III bonds was increased with ELF-MF exposure in the cerebellum and left-brain tissue. In liver tissue higher Raman intensities were visible in the tissues from the ELF-MF group. In this group electromagnetic field also caused structural changes in lipids. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed, that it is possible to distinguish ELF-MF and control groups. Consequently, hierarchical component analysis (HCA) showed that tissues from ELF-MF and control groups separately created similarity with the groups. Obtained results suggest that the electromagnetic field caused structural and quantitative chemical changes in brain and liver tissue. Additionally, present data suggest that ELF-MF plays an important role in the regulation of enzyme activity and has effects on biochemical processes, possibly improved by production of ROS.

Effects of repeated exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field on breast cancer cells

ABSTRACT The extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is emerging as a novel approach in cancer treatment. This study evaluated the impact of daily exposure to 50 Hz EMF on breast cancer cells in vitro. The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were exposed to EMF (50 Hz 20 mT, for 3 hours per day for up to four days) and examined for cell vaibility. The effect of daily ELF-EMF exposure on cell cycle progression and cell death was further investigated. The result revealed that the consecutive exposure to 50 Hz EMF at 20 mT remarkably decreased the viability of MDA-MB-231 compared to the non-exposed group, while it had no significant effect on MCF-7 cells. The ELF-EMF exposure induced G1 phase arrest along with the increase in sub-G1 cell population in MDA-MB-231. Moreover, repeated exposure to 50 Hz EMF promoted cell cycle progression in MCF-7 by increasing the percentage of cells in the S phase. The fluorescent staining revealed that daily exposure of ELF-EMF induced apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231, but no morphological change was observed in MCF-7 cells. The results showed that repeated daily exposure to 50 Hz EMF exhibited anti-proliferative activity against invasive breast cancer cells by impairing cell cycle progression and inducing cell death.

DNMT1 and miRNAs: possible epigenetics footprints in electromagnetic fields utilization in oncology.

Many studies were performed to unravel the effects of different types of Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on biological systems. Some studies were conducted to exploit EMFs for medical purposes mainly in cancer therapy. Although many studies suggest that the EMFs exposures can be effective in pre-clinical cancer issues, the treatment outcomes of these exposures on the cancer cells, especially at the molecular level, are challenging and overwhelmingly complicated yet. This article aims to review the epigenetic mechanisms that can be altered by EMFs exposures with the main emphasis on Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF). The epigenetic mechanisms are reversible and affected by environmental factors, thus, EMFs exposures can modulate these mechanisms. According to the reports, ELF-EMF exposures affect epigenetic machinery directly or through the molecular signaling pathways. ELF-EMF in association with DNA methylation, histone modification, miRNAs, and nucleosome remodeling could affect the homeostasis of cancer cells and play a role in DNA damage repairing, apoptosis induction, prevention of metastasis, differentiation, and cell cycle regulation. In general, the result of this study shows that ELF-EMF exposure probably can be effective in cancer epigenetic therapy, but more molecular and clinical investigations are needed to clarify the safe and specific dosimetric characteristics of ELF-EMF in practice.

Occupational exposure to metal-rich particulate matter modifies the expression of repair genes in foundry workers.

Foundry workers are exposed to numerous occupational health hazards, which may result in increased risk of cancer, respiratory disease, and other diseases. Oxidative stress is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of such diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the association between multiple occupational exposures in foundry workers and expression of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair genes as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. The study sample comprised 17 foundry workers and 27 matched control subjects. Expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1), inosine triphosphate pyrophosphate (ITPA), and MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) in peripheral blood was examined using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Air sampling to determine exposure to metal-rich particulate matter and measurement of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) were conducted according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standard methods. Personal air sampling revealed that occupational exposure to particulate matter exceeded the threshold limit values (TLVs) in 76% of the workstations, whereas ELF-EMF exposure appeared to be lower than the TLV. ITPA was significantly upregulated in foundry workers compared with control subjects, whereas no significant difference was observed for OGG1 and MTH1. Moreover, ITPA was strongly and positively correlated with the concentration of metal-rich particulate matter in foundry workers. No significant correlation was found between ELF-EMF exposure and expression of DNA repair genes. DNA repair gene expression may be a sensitive biomarker for occupational exposures, which suggests an involvement of oxidative stress in metal-induced toxicity. Further studies are needed to determine the role of DNA repair gene expression in response to occupational/environmental hazards.

Comparing the Effects of Long-term Exposure to Extremely Low-frequency Electromagnetic Fields With Different Values on Learning, Memory, Anxiety, and β-amyloid Deposition in Adult Rats.

Introduction:Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs) have gathered significant consideration for their possible pathogenicity. However, their effects on the nervous system’s functions were not fully clarified. This study aimed to assay the impact of ELF-EMFs with different intensities on memory, anxiety, antioxidant activity, β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, and microglia population in rats.Methods:Fifty male adult rats were randomly separated into 5 groups; 4 were exposed to a flux density of 1, 100, 500, and 2000 microtesla (μT), 50 Hz frequency for one h/day for two months, and one group as a control group. The control group was without ELF-EMF stimulation. After 8 weeks, passive avoidance and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) tests were performed to assess memory formation and anxiety-like behavior, respectively. Total free thiol groups and the index of lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Additionally, for detection of Aβ deposition and stained microglia in the brain, anti-β-amyloid and anti-Iba1 antibodies were used.Results:The step-through latency in the retention test in ELF-EMF exposure groups (100500 & 2000 μT) was significantly greater than the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the frequency of the entries into the open arms in ELF-EMF exposure groups (especially 2000 μT) decreased than the control group (P<0.05). No Aβ depositions were detected in the hippocampus of different groups. An increase in microglia numbers in the 100, 500, and 2000 μT groups was observed compared to the control and one μT group.Conclusion:Exposure to ELF-EMF had an anxiogenic effect on rats, promoted memory, and induced oxidative stress. No Aβ depositions were detected in the brain. Moreover, the positive impact of ELF-EMF was observed on the microglia population in the brain.HighlightsELF-EMFs have gathered significant consideration for their possible pathogenicity.ELF-EMFs’ effects on the nervous system’s functions were not clarified yet.Positive impact of ELF-EMF was observed on the microglia population in the brain.Plain Language SummaryELF-EMFs effects on human health are a considerable concern. Studies revealed the adverse effects of ELF-EMF in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Anxiety could be an early manifestation of AD. There is a correlation between occupational exposure to ELF-EMF and AD. Recently the researchers interested in the study of the effects of ELF-EMFs on the human body. Some studies examined the molecular mechanisms and the influence of ELF-EMFs on the biologic mechanisms in the body. Also, Microglia act in the Central Nervous system (CNS) immune responses; over-activated microglia can be responsible for devastating and progressive neurotoxic consequences in neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the memory, anxiety, antioxidant activity, β-amyloid deposition, and frequency of the microglial cells exposed to microtesla (μT) and 2000 (μT) ELF-EMFs.

The effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure at 1 mT on hemogram and blood biochemisgtry in rats

ABSTRACT The biological effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure are not fully clarified. We conducted this investigation to explore the effects of ELF-EMF on hematologic and biochemical indexes in adult rats. Thirty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to ELF-EMF at 1 mT for 24 weeks, while another 30 SD rats were sham exposed. During the exposure, peripheral blood was collected every 4 weeks to analyze the hematologic parameters and biochemical indexes. The morphology of liver and kidney was detected by hematoxylin–eosin staining at the end of the experiment. Exposed to ELF-EMF at 1 mT did not exert any statistic difference on hematologic parameters including total white blood cell count, neutrophil ratio, lymphocyte ratio, red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration and platelets count, compared to the control group. Similarly, biochemical indexes, such as glucose, lipid profile, liver function and renal function, were not affected by ELF-EMF exposure. In addition, no morphological change was observed in the liver and kidney from the exposure group. The exposure to ELF-EMF at the intensity of 1 mT for 24 weeks did not affect hematologic and biochemical indexes in adult rats.

Short ELF-EMF Exposure Targets SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling in THP-1 Cells.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) have been known to modulate inflammatory responses by targeting signal transduction pathways and influencing cellular redox balance through the generation of oxidants and antioxidants. Here, we studied the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-oxidative effect of ELF-EMF in THP-1 cells, particularly with respect to antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), regulated transcriptionally through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. Cells treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were exposed to a 50 Hz, 1 mT extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields for 1 h, 6 h and, 24 h. Our results indicate that ELF-EMF induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in LPS-treated THP-1 cells, with peak expression at 6 h, accompanied with a concomitant migration to the nucleus of a truncated HO-1 protein form. The immunostaining analysis further verified a nuclear enrichment of HO-1. Moreover, ELF-EMF inhibited the protein expressions of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathways, confirming their anti-inflammatory/antioxidative role. Pretreatment with LY294002 (Akt inhibitor) and PD980559 (ERK inhibitor) inhibited LPS-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 protein expression in ELF-EMF-exposed cells. Taken together, our results suggest that short ELF-EMF exposure exerts a protective role in THP-1 cells treated with an inflammatory/oxidative insult such as LPS, via the regulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 and SIRT1 /NF-kB pathways associated with intracellular glutathione (GSH) accumulation.

Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the association with acoustic neuroma

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain and head tumours during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 we assessed life-time occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with acoustic neuroma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT) and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. No increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8–2.0, p linear trend = 0.37 was calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in the time windows 1–14 years, and 15+ years, respectively. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for acoustic neuroma.

A 50-Hz magnetic-field exposure promotes human amniotic cells proliferation via SphK-S1P-S1PR cascade mediated ERK signaling pathway.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) present a kind of common non-ionizing radiation in public and occupational environments. Previous studies have suggested that ELF-EMF exposure might have a potential impact on co-carcinogenesis and the progression of tumorigenesis by inducing cell proliferation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the possible role of the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-related pathway in regulating cell proliferation induced by 50-Hz, 0.4-mT magnetic-field (MF) exposure. The results showed that MF exposure significantly promoted sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) activity, and that inhibition of the SphK1-S1P-S1P receptor (S1PR) pathway could remarkably reverse MF-induced cell proliferation. Additionally, we could infer indirectly from an exogenous-S1P experiment that MF-induced S1P might act on S1PR1/3 in a paracrine and/or autocrine manner to mediate the proliferation effect. Notably, although the MF activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways, the SphK1-S1P-S1PR1/3 cascade regulated MF-induced proliferation by activating the ERK rather than the Akt pathway. Taken together, the findings of this study indicated that the SphK1-S1P-S1PR1/3 cascade played an important role in MF-induced proliferation by mediating the ERK signaling pathway, which could bring new insights into understanding and preventing the adverse effects of MFs.

Immune response of mollusk Onchidium struma to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF, 50 Hz) exposure based on immune-related enzyme activity and De novo transcriptome analysis

Along with rapid offshore and onshore wind power development in modern society, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) is produced extensively in the habits of aquatic organisms. However, the biological effects of ELF-EMF on aquatic organisms are almost sparse. In this study, Onchidium struma without shell was chosen to aim whether ELF-EMF can elicit immune response of mollusk based on immune-related enzyme activities and gene expression through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Three experimental groups, i.e. ELF-EMF unexposed control group (C), ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 100 μT) exposed E1 group, and ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 500 μT) exposed E2 group, were set, and coelomocytes were collected to analyze. The results showed that total coelomocyte and spherulocyte density in E1 group increased significantly compared to groups C and E2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences on amoebocyte and chromatocyte density among groups C, E1 and E2. ELF-EMF exposure could significantly increase immune-related enzyme activities in coelomic fluid of O. struma, including acidic phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, antioxidative capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase (P < 0.05). A total of 54.32 Mb and 55.27 Mb raw reads with average length of 1520 bp were obtained from coelomocytes of O. struma in unexposed and exposed groups, respectively. There were 341 differentially expressed genes (DGEs) between unexposed and exposed groups, including 209 up-regulated and 132 down-regulated unigenes. All the DGEs were allocated to 14 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, and five pathways were associated with immune response, including TLR/TNF/NOD-like receptor/MAPK/Fc epsilon RI signaling pathways. Altogether, short-term (to one week) exposure of O. struma to lower luxy density ELF-EMF (<500 μT) could elicit the immune response, and antioxidant system is recommended as indicators of immunological effects. Hopefully, this study will further provide insights into exploring biomarker for evaluation of the effect of ELF-EMF exposure on aquatic organisms regarding to field density, frequency and exposure duration, and provide good guidance for exploitation and utilization of renewable energy.