Tang R, Xu Y, Ma F, Ren J, Shen S, Du Y, Hou Y, Wang T · 2016
Researchers studied the effect of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on a lung metastatic melanoma mouse model and on the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Tumor-bearing mice were exposed to ELF-MFs at 0.4 T and 7.5 Hz for 2 hours per day for 27 days. Metastatic tumor burden in the lung was significantly decreased after ELF-MF treatment, and expressions of MMP2, MMP9, and Foxp3 in lung nodules significantly decreased in the ELF-MF group. In cell experiments, ELF-MF treatment reduced the Treg cell differentiation rate from 32.0% to 22.1%, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited p-AKT in T cells.
Falone S et al. · 2016
Researchers investigated whether hyperproliferation induced by a 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF magnetic field in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells is supported by improved defense against methylglyoxal and by rewiring of energy metabolism. The ELF magnetic field interfered with the biology of these malignant cells by further de-differentiating the cellular phenotype and increasing proliferative activity. The magnetic field also triggered cytoprotective mechanisms, including enhanced defense against methylglyoxal and more efficient management of metabolic energy, presumably to support rapid cell outgrowth.
Nakayama M, Nakamura A, Hondou T, Miyata H · 2016
Researchers measured DNA single-strand breaks, cell viability, and nitric oxide production in macrophage RAW264 cells exposed to a 0.5-mT, 50-Hz magnetic field for 24 hours with or without LPS stimulation. The magnetic field alone did not alter nitric oxide production. The combined effect of LPS and magnetic field was not mediated by LPS-induced nitric oxide production.
Unknown authors · 2016
The study evaluated the protective effect of lotus seedpod procyanidins against extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure at 50 Hz, 8 mT for 28 days. LSPCs increased the organ index of mice and restored damaged blood-producing function and cytokine levels including INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the spleen to normal. LSPCs also inhibited splenocyte stagnation in G0/G1 phase, promoted proliferation, reduced apoptosis, prevented DNA content decline, and reversed changes in Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 expression.
Unknown authors · 2016
Researchers exposed human lens epithelial cells to a 50 Hz ELF MF at 0.4 mT or sham exposure. DNA damage was assessed using γH2AX foci formation assay, western blot, flow cytometry, and alkaline comet assay. No significant increase in γH2AX foci formation was observed after exposures up to 48 hours, γH2AX expression levels did not differ between exposure groups, and no chromosomal DNA fragmentation was detected.
Unknown authors · 2016
The study randomized 867 workers with or without exposure to 110-420 kV power lines into green tea polyphenol or placebo groups. Urinary 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG were measured to assess oxidative stress and DNA damage. Exposed workers had significantly higher levels of both markers, which decreased after 12 months of supplementation. The protective effect was lost three months after stopping supplementation.
Rauš Balind S, M. · 2016
Feng B, Dai A, Chen L, Qiu L, Fu Y, Sun W. · 2016
Researchers exposed human amniotic epithelial (FL) cells to a 50-Hz magnetic field to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind magnetic field-induced epidermal growth factor receptor clustering. Exposing FL cells to the magnetic field at intensities higher than 0.2 mT for 15 minutes enhanced total reactive oxygen species production. Blocking the NADPH oxidase enzyme with the inhibitor DPI suppressed magnetic field-induced cytoplasmic superoxide production and subsequent EGFR clustering, while mitochondrial superoxide production was not affected.
Unknown authors · 2016
Researchers investigated the effects of ELF magnetic fields together with 4 chemical mutagens using the bacterial Vitotox test. A 100 μT magnetic field at 50 Hz did not damage DNA and was not mutagenic in the assay. The magnetic field also did not influence the DNA-damaging capacity of the chemical mutagens.
Gok DK et al. · 2016
Researchers divided Wistar albino female rats into four groups: a control group, a prenatal-exposure group, a postnatal-exposure group, and a combined prenatal-plus-postnatal-exposure group. Pregnant rats in the prenatal and combined groups were exposed to a 50 Hz electric field at 12 kV/m for 1 hour per day during pregnancy, while postnatal animals were exposed for 68 days after birth. The latencies of visual evoked potential components were significantly prolonged in all exposed groups compared with controls. Retina TBARS levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were significantly elevated in all experimental groups compared with controls.
Gok DK et al. · 2016
Scientists exposed pregnant rats to 50 Hz electric fields from power lines and tested their offspring's brain responses as adults. The exposed rats showed delayed neural processing for vision and touch, plus increased brain damage markers, suggesting developmental electric field exposure causes lasting nervous system changes.
Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M · 2016
NQO1 mRNA decreased immediately after exposure to the 5 min on/5 min off pattern at 0.25 mT compared to unexposed cells. NQO2 mRNA increased immediately and at two hours after exposure to the same pattern at 0.50 mT compared to unexposed cells.
Unknown authors · 2016
Researchers investigated the effect of a 50 Hz, 1 mT extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on MAP2 and Nestin gene expression in dermal papilla mesenchymal cells. Four experimental groups were prepared: chemical exposure, EMF exposure, combined chemical and EMF exposure, and a control with no treatment, all treated for 5 days. An additional EMF group was exposed for 14 consecutive days to assess the effect of longer exposure on neural differentiation markers Nestin and MAP2. After 14 days, MAP2 expression was higher than after 5 days and cell proliferation decreased from days 5 to 20, indicating that longer exposure promotes neural differentiation.
Akpınar D et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed rats to an electric field at 12 kV/m for 1 hour per day, dividing them into control, prenatal, postnatal, and prenatal-plus-postnatal groups. The mismatch negativity amplitude was decreased in all exposed groups compared with the control group. Levels of 4-HNE, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were significantly increased in the postnatal group compared with the control group, while protein carbonyl levels were significantly decreased in the prenatal-plus-postnatal group compared with the control, prenatal, and postnatal groups.
Unknown authors · 2016
Researchers exposed rats to 40 Hz electromagnetic fields (similar to power line frequencies) daily for three weeks and tracked changes in basic behaviors like eating, drinking, movement, and blood sugar. The exposed rats showed disrupted weight patterns, reduced appetite, altered glucose levels, and decreased activity on the first day after exposure. These findings suggest that even extremely low-frequency EMF can disrupt normal biological functions in mammals.
Ansari AM et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed male adult NMRI mice to an extremely low frequency magnetic field at 0.5 mT and 50 Hz, either as a single 2-hour session or for 2 hours a day over 2 weeks. Depressive-like behavior was measured using the Forced Swimming Test, which records immobility time. Long-term exposure significantly reduced immobility time, while short-term exposure did not alter it.
Feng B, Ye C, Qiu L, Chen L, Fu Y, Sun W · 2016
Human amniotic FL cells were exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field for different durations or intensities, then incubated with staurosporine for 4 hours. Magnetic field exposure alone had no significant effect on early apoptosis or cell viability. When cells were also treated with staurosporine, magnetic field exposure had a protective effect against early apoptosis, and this effect could be abolished by MPT inhibitors. The anti-apoptotic effect was completely eliminated when Akt was inhibited, suggesting that Akt activation was necessary for the effect.
Hu Y et al. · 2016
Mahmoudinasab H, Sanie-Jahromi F, Saadat M · 2016
Researchers designed the study to evaluate the effect of EMFs on the mRNA levels of seven antioxidant genes in human MCF-7 cells. Three exposure patterns were tested at two field intensities, 0.25 mT and 0.50 mT, each with a total exposure time of 30 minutes. The MTT assay showed no cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells under any of the three exposure conditions at either field intensity. Under the 15-min-on/15-min-off pattern, the 0.50 mT intensity was associated with more up- or down-regulated genes than 0.25 mT, a statistically significant difference (P=0.041), while no such difference was found for the other two exposure patterns.
Martínez MA, Úbeda A, Moreno J, Trillo MÁ · 2016
Researchers investigated how power frequency magnetic fields affect cell proliferation in NB69 cells and the role of p38 and JNK kinases and reactive oxygen species in that response. NB69 cultures were exposed to a 100 µT magnetic field, either intermittently for 24, 42 or 63 hours, or continuously for periods of 15 to 120 minutes, with or without p38 or JNK inhibitors and an antioxidant. Field exposure induced transient activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2, but only the p38 inhibitor blocked the proliferative effect. The antioxidant NAC blocked the field effects on cell proliferation and p38 activation, but not those on ERK1/2 activation.
Yin C, Luo X, Duan Y, Duan W, Zhang H, He Y, Sun G, Sun X · 2016
Researchers investigated whether lotus seedpod procyanidins (LSPCs) could protect primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons from extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF)-induced neurotoxicity. ELF-EMF exposure significantly decreased cell viability and increased the number of apoptotic cells compared with control. LSPCs evidently protected the hippocampal neurons against ELF-EMF-induced cell damage, and the researchers concluded this occurred through inhibiting oxidative stress and a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
Ansari AM et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type emitted by power lines and electrical devices) for either 2 hours once or 2 hours daily for 2 weeks. They found that long-term exposure reduced depression-like behavior in the mice, while short-term exposure interfered with antidepressant medications. This suggests that chronic EMF exposure may alter brain chemistry and affect how psychiatric medications work.
Madjid Ansari A et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type generated by power lines and electrical appliances) to study effects on depression-like behavior. They found that short-term exposure (2 hours) had no effect, but long-term exposure (2 hours daily for 2 weeks) actually reduced depressive symptoms in the mice. The study suggests this effect may work through changes in nitric oxide levels in the brain.
Maes A, Anthonissen R, Wambacq S, Simons K, Verschaeve L. · 2016
Researchers conducted an in vitro cytogenetic laboratory investigation to explore a possible association between extremely low frequency magnetic fields and Alzheimer's disease risk. The study found that 50 Hz ELF-MF increased the frequency of cells with large micronuclei and nuclear buds, suggesting that fields above 50 μT may induce chromosome instabilities like those found in Alzheimer's disease patients. The researchers noted that results from other published experimental studies on ELF-MF and Alzheimer's disease are described as rather reassuring.
Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Shiri L, Alaei H, Naghdi N. · 2016
Researchers investigated the effect of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) at 10 Hz and 690–720 μT on the level of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) in adult male Wistar rats. A total of 24 adult Wistar male rats were exposed to the magnetic field for 15 successive days, after which 5-HIAA was measured from dialysate samples using high performance liquid chromatography. Exposure for 3 hours daily decreased 5-HIAA in the raphe nucleus, but exposure for 1 hour daily was not effective in altering the level of 5-HIAA.
