Expressions of some antioxidant genes in SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-lapachone, morphine and electromagnetic field.

Bioeffects Seen

Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M. · 2018

Brief magnetic field exposures disrupted protective antioxidant genes in brain cells, suggesting cellular defense systems respond to EMF in real time.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human brain cells (neuroblastoma cells) to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 0.5 mT for different time patterns and measured changes in antioxidant gene expression. They found that EMF exposure altered the activity of genes responsible for protecting cells from damage, with different exposure patterns producing different effects. This suggests that even brief EMF exposures can disrupt the cellular machinery that defends against oxidative stress.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that electromagnetic field exposure can interfere with our cells' natural defense systems. The researchers found that 0.5 mT magnetic fields - comparable to standing very close to some household appliances or electrical panels - altered the expression of genes that produce antioxidant enzymes. What makes this particularly concerning is that these changes occurred with exposures as brief as 15 minutes. The fact that different exposure patterns (intermittent versus continuous) produced different genetic responses suggests our cells are actively responding to EMF in real time, not just experiencing passive damage. This research matters because antioxidant systems are your cells' first line of defense against damage that can lead to aging, disease, and dysfunction.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field: 0.5 mG
Source/Device: 50 Hz
Exposure Duration: 15 min field-on/15 min field-off” and “30 min field-on continuously

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:

25Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
5Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG

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 Details

The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of Mor and EMF, in combination with β-Lap on the cell growth inhibition and expression of several antioxidant genes.

The 0.50 mT intensity of 50 Hz EMF and two exposure conditions (“15 min field-on/15 min field-off” a...

Whereas NQO1 mRNA level decreased in the “15 min field-on/15 min field-off” condition, the expressio...

Cite This Study

Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M. (2018). Expressions of some antioxidant genes in SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-lapachone, morphine and electromagnetic field. Mol Biol Rep. 45(3):379-387, 2018b.

Show BibTeX

@article{h_2018_expressions_of_some_antioxidant_416,
  author = {Mahmoudinasab H and Saadat M.},
  title = {Expressions of some antioxidant genes in SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-lapachone, morphine and electromagnetic field.},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1007/s11033-018-4172-1},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11033-018-4172-1},
}

DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4172-1

Cited By (4 papers)

SIRT1 and SIRT2 Activity Control in Neurodegenerative Diseases
R. Manjula et al. (2021) - 151 citations
Interactions of the antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and NRH: Quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) with pharmacological agents, endogenous biochemicals and environmental contaminants.
Md. Harunur Rashid et al. (2021) - 46 citations
Mechanistic insights on the role of Nrf-2 signalling in Huntington’s disease
Veerta Sharma et al. (2024) - 14 citations
Association Between a 50bp Ins/Del Genetic Variation at Promoter of the Superoxide Dismutase-1 (SOD1) and the Risk of Dependency to Opium and Methamphetamine
Khyber Saify, M. Saadat (2018) - 2 citations

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows that 50 Hz electromagnetic fields from power lines can disrupt brain cells' protective systems. A 2018 study found that even brief exposures altered genes responsible for defending cells against damage, suggesting cellular stress responses are triggered by this common frequency.

Yes, 50 Hz electromagnetic fields significantly affect antioxidant gene expression in brain cells. Laboratory research demonstrated that exposure patterns altered NQO1 and NQO2 genes, which protect cells from oxidative damage, indicating EMF can disrupt cellular defense mechanisms.

Studies suggest 50 Hz frequency used in household electricity can impact neuronal cells. Research on human brain cells showed that exposure disrupted genes responsible for cellular protection, with different timing patterns producing varying effects on antioxidant systems.

EMF exposure disrupts cellular defense by altering antioxidant gene expression. Research found that 50 Hz fields changed the activity of protective genes like NQO1 and NQO2, which normally defend cells against oxidative stress and damage.

Power frequency EMF can alter gene expression patterns related to cellular protection. A 2018 study revealed that 50 Hz exposure modified antioxidant genes in brain cells, suggesting potential risks to the genetic machinery that defends against cellular damage.