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Pulsed electromagnetic field enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

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Li Y, Yan X, Liu J, Li L, Hu X, Sun H, Tian J. · 2014

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Exposing neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons to pulsed electromagnetic fields at 50 Hz and 1 mT for 2 hours increased BDNF expression through calcium and Erk signaling pathways.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from neonatal rats. Exposure to 50 Hz and 1 mT PEMF for 2 hours increased both intracellular free calcium levels and Bdnf mRNA expression. The increase in calcium was found to come from influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, while calcium mobilization from internal stores was not involved. Blocking the Erk signaling pathway strongly inhibited PEMF-related Erk1/2 activation and BDNF expression, indicating that Erk activation was required for PEMF-induced BDNF upregulation.

Why This Matters

The researchers measured intracellular free calcium concentration alongside Bdnf mRNA to understand the link between calcium signaling and BDNF expression after PEMF exposure. Calcium influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels was identified as one of the key factors responding to PEMF exposure. By using a specific Erk inhibitor, the researchers showed that Erk activation is required for PEMF-induced upregulation of BDNF expression.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.1, 1, 10, 100 mT
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
2 hours/day for 1 or 3 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mT 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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

we aimed to examine the effects of PEMF exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) mRNA expression and the correlation between the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and Bdnf mRNA expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs).

Exposure to 50 Hz and 1 mT PEMF for 2 h increased the level of [Ca2+]i and Bdnf mRNA expression, whi...

These findings indicated that PEMF exposure increased BDNF expression in DRGNs by activating Ca2+- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways.

Cite This Study
Li Y, Yan X, Liu J, Li L, Hu X, Sun H, Tian J. (2014). Pulsed electromagnetic field enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons Neurochem Int. 75:96-104, 2014.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2014_pulsed_electromagnetic_field_enhances_274,
  author = {Li Y and Yan X and Liu J and Li L and Hu X and Sun H and Tian J. },
  title = {Pulsed electromagnetic field enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24937769/},
}
PubMed: 24937769

Cited By (60 papers)

View all 60 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

The neurons were exposed to PEMF at 50 Hz and 1 mT for 2 hours.
Calcium influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels was identified as a key factor, while calcium mobilization from internal stores was not involved.
Blocking Erk with an inhibitor strongly inhibited both Erk1/2 activation and BDNF expression, indicating that Erk activation was required for PEMF-induced BDNF upregulation.
The findings indicated that PEMF exposure increased BDNF expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons by activating calcium- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways.