Extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields cause antioxidative defense mechanisms in human osteoblasts via induction of •O2 − and H2O2
Ehnert S, Fentz AK, Schreiner A, Birk J, Wilbrand B, Ziegler P, Reumann MK, Wang H, Falldorf K, Nussler AK. · 2017
View Original AbstractRepeated 16 Hz electromagnetic field exposure strengthened bone cells' antioxidant defenses, suggesting complex biological adaptation to EMF.
Plain English Summary
German researchers exposed human bone cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (16 Hz) for 7 minutes daily over 5 days to study cellular responses. They found that single exposures triggered oxidative stress, but repeated exposures actually strengthened the cells' antioxidant defenses and improved bone formation. The study suggests these electromagnetic fields might help bone healing by training cells to better handle oxidative damage.
Why This Matters
This research reveals a fascinating biological adaptation that challenges simple assumptions about EMF effects. The finding that repeated ELF exposure at 16 Hz strengthened cellular antioxidant systems represents what scientists call hormesis - where low-level stress actually improves biological function. What makes this particularly relevant is that 16 Hz falls within the range of power line frequencies (50-60 Hz) that we encounter daily, though the study doesn't specify exact exposure levels for comparison. The science demonstrates that EMF effects aren't always straightforward - the same exposure that initially causes oxidative stress can ultimately strengthen cellular defenses. While this bone cell research shows potential therapeutic applications, it also underscores how little we understand about the complex biological responses to electromagnetic fields in our everyday environment.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 16 Hz Duration: 7 min each day for 5 days
Study Details
This study aimed at investigating how ELF-PEMF exposure can modulate hOBs function via ROS.
Our results show that single exposure to ELF-PEMF induced ROS production in hOBs, without reducing i...
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2017_extremely_low_frequency_pulsed_1586,
author = {Ehnert S and Fentz AK and Schreiner A and Birk J and Wilbrand B and Ziegler P and Reumann MK and Wang H and Falldorf K and Nussler AK.},
title = {Extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields cause antioxidative defense mechanisms in human osteoblasts via induction of •O2 − and H2O2},
year = {2017},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-14983-9},
}