Wyszkowska J, Shepherd S, Sharkh S, Jackson CW, Newland PL. · 2016
Researchers exposed desert locusts to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and measured effects on behaviour, physiology, and stress proteins. Exposure above 4 mT led to reduced walking in the locusts. Recordings from the fast extensor tibiae motor neuron showed increased spike latency and a broadening of its spike in exposed animals, hind leg kick force was reduced, and stress-protein levels (Hsp70) increased.
Wu CL, Fu TF, Chiang MH, Chang YW, Her JL, Wu T. · 2016
Researchers found that male Drosophila exposed to a static magnetic field of at least 20 Gauss showed significantly increased courtship activity compared with behavior in the natural environment at 0 Gauss. This increase in courtship activity depended on the photoreceptor cryptochrome, as flies lacking CRY did not show an increased courtship index in a magnetic field. Restoring CRY expression in CRY-deficient flies brought back the magnetic-field-related increase in male courtship index.
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.
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.
Ma Q et al. · 2016
Researchers studied the effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) in the laboratory. Cells were exposed to ELF-EMF at 50 Hz and 1 mT for 4 hours per day over 1, 2, and 3 days. ELF-EMF exposure increased the ratio of differentiated neurons and promoted neurite outgrowth without influencing astrocyte differentiation or cell apoptosis.
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.
Calabrò E. · 2016
Researchers exposed human SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells to a 50 Hz magnetic field and examined protein changes using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. After exposure, the vibration bands of the methylene group increased significantly, and a significant shift to low energies of the Amide I band was observed. An increase in the intensity of parallel and antiparallel β-sheet structures relative to the α-helix component was also observed after exposure. The authors interpreted these results as suggesting that both protein aggregation and increased hydrogen bonding occurred in the exposed neuronal-like cells.
Şahin D et al. · 2016
The main finding was increased oxidative DNA damage in the brain after 10 days of exposure, while after 40 days oxidative DNA damage was decreased compared to control groups. A decreased level of the lipid peroxidation marker MDA was also observed after 40 days of exposure.
Esmekaya MA et al. · 2016
Researchers studied whether cellular phone radiation affects oxidative stress and nitric oxide levels in mouse brain during epileptic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Eight-week-old mice were divided into groups: a PTZ-only control group, a group exposed to 15 minutes of radiation before and 30 minutes after PTZ treatment, and a group exposed to 30 minutes of radiation before and 30 minutes after PTZ treatment. Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels increased significantly in the radiation-exposed groups compared to the control group, while glutathione levels were significantly lower in those same groups.
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.
Yang LL et al. · 2016
Researchers investigated whether electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure could activate brain microglia via the p38 MAPK pathway in rats. The expression of OX-42, a marker of microglia activation, increased significantly at 1, 6 and 12 hours after EMP exposure, then recovered to sham group levels at 24 hours. Levels of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 also changed significantly in vivo and in vitro after EMP exposure. Results suggested that EMP exposure at 200 kV/m, 200 pulses could activate microglia in rat brain and affect its secretory function, with the p38 pathway involved.
Luo X et al. · 2016
Researchers tested whether lotus seedpod procyanidins (LSPCs) could protect mice against oxidative stress caused by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure. Mice were exposed to ELF-EMF at 8 mT, 4 hours per day for 28 consecutive days, and blood and cerebral cortex were analyzed for antioxidant indices. LSPCs treatment augmented SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR and GST activity and significantly lowered MDA levels.
Kesari KK, Juutilainen J, Luukkonen J, Naarala J. · 2016
Hu Y et al. · 2016
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.
Falone S et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed SK-N-BE(2) drug-resistant human neuroblastoma cells to a pulsed electromagnetic field and then challenged the cells with hydrogen peroxide to measure oxidative stress responses. The PEMF increased MnSOD-based antioxidant protection and reduced ROS production in response to a pro-oxidant challenge. The researchers suggested their work might lay foundation for the development of non-invasive PEMF-based approaches aimed at elevating endogenous antioxidant properties in cellular or tissue models.
Duong CN, Kim JY · 2016
Researchers studied whether EMF exposure could protect a human microglial cell line, HMO6, from cell death caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), a model of ischemic injury. HMO6 cells were cultured for 4 hours under OGD with or without exposure to EMF at different combinations of frequencies and intensities, and cell survival, intracellular calcium, and ROS levels were measured. Among the combinations tested, 50 Hz/1 mT EMF was the most potent at reducing OGD-induced cell death and lowering intracellular calcium and ROS levels. A significant but less potent protective effect was also found at 10 Hz/1 mT, while no protective effect was found at other combinations.
Benassi B et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed SH-SY5Y cells to an extremely low frequency magnetic field set up to reproduce environmental prolonged exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz, 1 mT) and then treated the cells with the pro-Parkinson's toxin MPP+. ELF-MF alone did not affect cell survival, shape, or morphology, but it did significantly impair redox homeostasis and thiol content, triggering an increase in protein carbonylation. When MPP+ was added to ELF-MF-exposed cells, toxicity was highly enhanced, with significant increases in ROS levels, oxidative damage, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Pre-incubation with the thiol antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and GSH ethyl-ester significantly reduced oxidative damage and protected cells from death caused by the combined ELF-MF/MPP+ treatment.
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.
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.
Wang LF et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed Wistar rats to microwave radiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 5 minutes per day, 5 days per week, over a period of 2 months. Screening of the GRIN2B promoter region revealed a stable C-to-T variant at nucleotide position −217 that was not induced by microwave exposure. Following microwave exposure, NR2B protein expression decreased, while the Glu contents in the hippocampus and CSF increased, and memory impairment was observed in the TT genotype but not the CC and CT genotypes. In PC12 cells, the effects of the T allele were more pronounced than those of the C allele on transcription factor binding ability, transcriptional activity, NR2B mRNA, and protein expression.
Sırav B, Seyhan N · 2016
Researchers used young adult male and female Wistar albino rats to investigate whether pulse modulated 900 MHz and 1800 MHz radio-frequency radiation affects the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Permeability was measured by quantifying Evans blue dye that passed into the brain after intravenous injection. In both male radio-frequency radiation exposed groups, blood-brain barrier permeability was found to be increased compared with controls, with 1800 MHz found more effective in males. For female rats, 900 MHz exposure was associated with increased permeability, but no statistical difference was found between the 1800 MHz exposed and control groups.
Nirwane A, Sridhar V, Majumdar A · 2016
Hidisoglu E et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed rats to 2100-MHz electromagnetic fields for 2 hours per day for either 1 or 10 weeks, then recorded visual evoked potentials and measured markers of oxidative stress in the brain. After 1 week of exposure, visual response latencies were shortened and several antioxidant markers were increased. After 1 or 10 weeks, the effects on visual response latencies differed: latencies were shortened in the 1-week group but prolonged in the 10-week group. The researchers concluded that the effects of EMF on visual evoked potentials depend on exposure duration.
Erdem Koç G et al. · 2016
Researchers established seven groups of pregnant rats and exposed some to 900 MHz EMF for 60 minutes per day during the gestation period. After birth, male rat pups were selected and the total number of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal region was counted using the optical fractionator technique. The total number of pyramidal cells in the EMF group was significantly lower than in the control, sham, EMF plus melatonin, and EMF plus omega-3 groups. No difference was observed between any groups in terms of rats' body or brain weights.
