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Cytoprotective response induced by electromagnetic stimulation on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line.

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Osera C, Fassina L, Amadio M, Venturini L, Buoso E, Magenes G, Govoni S, Ricevuti G, Pascale A · 2011

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Brain cancer cells exposed to specific electromagnetic frequencies showed enhanced protective responses and healthier protein processing, suggesting targeted EMF therapy potential.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers exposed brain cancer cells to 75 Hz electromagnetic fields and found the exposure triggered protective responses, including increased stress-defense proteins and healthier processing of proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease, suggesting specific frequencies might help protect brain cells from damage.

Why This Matters

This research offers a fascinating glimpse into electromagnetic fields' complex biological effects on brain cells. The 2 milliTesla exposure level is significantly higher than typical household EMF sources, which usually measure in microTesla ranges, making this more relevant to therapeutic applications than everyday exposure concerns. What makes this study particularly intriguing is that it demonstrates EMF can trigger cellular protective mechanisms rather than just causing damage. The science shows that electromagnetic stimulation enhanced the cells' natural defense systems and promoted healthier protein processing pathways. While this doesn't negate concerns about chronic low-level EMF exposure from everyday devices, it does highlight that the biological story is far more nuanced than simple 'EMF equals harm' narratives suggest.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
2 mG
Source/Device
75 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 2 mG for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 2 mGExtreme Concern5 mGFCC Limit2,000 mGEffects observed in the Severe Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1,000x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

In this study, under a tissue engineering viewpoint, we investigated the effects of an electromagnetic wave (magnetic field intensity, 2 mT; frequency, 75 Hz) on a neuronal cellular model characterized by the overexpression of the amyloid precursor protein (APP).

After a prolonged electromagnetic treatment, lower mitochondrial activity and proliferation rate, re...

In conclusion, these findings suggest that the electromagnetic stimulus, if properly administered in terms of dose and timing, is able to induce a cytoprotective response in the cell. Moreover, these results suggest a possible use of this particular physical stimulation to improve the functional capability of the cells to face noxae.

Cite This Study
Osera C, Fassina L, Amadio M, Venturini L, Buoso E, Magenes G, Govoni S, Ricevuti G, Pascale A (2011). Cytoprotective response induced by electromagnetic stimulation on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. Tissue Eng Part A. 17(19-20):2573-2582, 2011.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2011_cytoprotective_response_induced_by_435,
  author = {Osera C and Fassina L and Amadio M and Venturini L and Buoso E and Magenes G and Govoni S and Ricevuti G and Pascale A},
  title = {Cytoprotective response induced by electromagnetic stimulation on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line.},
  year = {2011},
  doi = {10.1089/ten.TEA.2011.0071},
  url = {https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ten.TEA.2011.0071},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Italian researchers exposed brain cancer cells to 75 Hz electromagnetic fields and found the exposure triggered protective responses, including increased stress-defense proteins and healthier processing of proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease, suggesting specific frequencies might help protect brain cells from damage.