EMF Research Studies

Moderate Static Magnetic Field (6 mT)-Induced Lipid Rafts Rearrangement Increases Silver NPs Uptake in Human Lymphocytes

Unknown authors · 2020

Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Signaling in the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields

Unknown authors · 2020

The study investigated molecular events associated with the synergistic activity of PEMFs and BMP2 on osteogenic differentiation. Human MSCs were exposed to PEMFs at 75 Hz and 1.5 mT in combination with BMP2 at the minimal dose able to induce differentiation. Researchers analyzed changes in BMP signaling pathway gene expression and phosphorylation of downstream proteins including SMAD1/5/8 and MAPK. Results showed synergistic activity on osteogenic differentiation transcription factors and markers, with increased BMP2, BMP6, and BMP type I receptor gene expression and activation of SMAD1/5/8 and p38 MAPK.

Extremely low- frequency electromagnetic fields increase the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla cells via GSK-3β/ERK/Akt signaling pathway

Unknown authors · 2020

Lipid Oxidation Induced by RF Waves and Mediated by Ferritin Iron Causes Activation of Ferritin-Tagged Ion Channels

Hernández-Morales M, Shang T, Chen J, Han V, Liu C · 2020

The study used the FeRIC system to uncover how RF waves activate ferritin-tagged ion channels. In cells with TRPVFeRIC channels, RF increased the labile iron pool in a ferritin-dependent way. The released iron produced reactive oxygen species and oxidized lipids that activated the channels. The pathway suggests RF could similarly activate other lipid-sensitive TRP channels.

(2020) A meta-analysis of in vitro exposures to weak radiofrequency radiation exposure from mobile phones (1990–2015)

Panagopoulos (2019) Comparing DNA damage induced by mobile telephony and other types of man-made electromagnetic fields. Mutation Res. http://bit.ly/2HACI1O Halgamuge et al et al. · 2019

Researchers analyzed data from 300 peer-reviewed publications (1990-2015) covering 1127 experimental observations in cell-based in vitro models. In human cell experiments, 45.3% showed changes while 54.7% showed no changes (p = 0.001). Further analysis revealed that significant effects were restricted to faster-growing, less differentiated cell types such as human spermatozoa and human epithelial cells, while mature differentiated cells like glia, glioblastoma, and blood lymphocytes showed no statistically significant differences.

Effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on the behavior and bioenergetics of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor

Jakubowska M, Urban-Malinga B, Otremba Z, Andrulewicz E · 2019

Researchers exposed the polychaete Hediste diversicolor to a 50 Hz, 1 mT electromagnetic field typical of submarine cable environments. The worms showed no avoidance or attraction, but their burrowing activity increased, indicating a stimulating effect on bioturbation. Food consumption and respiration rates were unchanged, while ammonia excretion was significantly lower than in control animals kept in the geomagnetic field.

Mechanistically, HiSMF markedly blocked the expression of osteoclast-associated transcription factors and osteoclast marker genes and inhibited iron absorption and iron storage-related protein expression

Dong D et al. · 2019

Researchers used a 16 T high static magnetic field generated from a superconducting magnet. They measured osteoclast formation, bone resorption, acting ring formation, messenger ribonucleic acid expression, and protein expression, as well as iron levels, mitochondrial protein, adenosine triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, malonaldehyde, and glutathione. The high static magnetic field significantly inhibited osteoclastic formation and resorption ability and reduced cellular iron content, and decreased mitochondrial concentration and oxidative stress levels. Mechanistically, the high static magnetic field markedly blocked the expression of osteoclast-associated transcription factors and osteoclast marker genes and inhibited iron absorption and iron storage-related protein expression.

Human Gingival Fibroblasts Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: In Vitro Model of Wound-Healing Improvement

Unknown authors · 2019

Exposure to each field increased early expression of IL-6, TGF-β, and iNOS and later induced MMP-2, MCP-1, and HO-1, which quickened wound healing. Electromagnetic field exposure also influenced the proliferation, migration, and metabolism of the fibroblasts compared with sham-exposed cells.

Treatment of common sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) seeds with radio-frequency electromagnetic field and cold plasma induces changes in seed phytohormone balance, seedling development and leaf protein expression

Mildažienė V et al. · 2019

Cold plasma for 7 minutes and electromagnetic field for 15 minutes caused 19–24% faster germination in vitro and resulted in higher leaf weight for the electromagnetic field treatment. In substrate, vacuum and 15-minute electromagnetic field accelerated germination by 9% and 17% respectively. Vacuum decreased zeatin by 39%, cold plasma increased gibberellin content, and electromagnetic field reduced abscisic acid by 55–60%. Short exposures to electromagnetic field or cold plasma induced similar long-term changes in leaf protein expression, mainly stimulating photosynthetic proteins.

The Effects of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on β-Amyloid-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human and Rat Primary Astrocytes.

Tsoy A et al. · 2019

Weak magnetic fields alter stem cell-mediated growth.

Van Huizen AV et al. · 2019

Researchers used the planarian regeneration model to study weak magnetic field effects. Weak magnetic fields altered stem cell proliferation and differentiation through changes in ROS accumulation and Hsp70 expression. The field strength determined whether weak magnetic fields increased or decreased new tissue formation.

Effects of single- and hybrid-frequency extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field stimulations on long-term potentiation in the hippocampal Schaffer collateral pathway.

Zheng Y, Ma XX, Dong L, Gao Y, Tian L. · 2019

Researchers applied single- and hybrid-frequency magnetic fields with an intensity of 1 mT to rat hippocampal slices in vitro to study effects on long-term potentiation (LTP) in synaptic plasticity. The amplitude of fEPSPs decreased significantly under both single- and hybrid-frequency magnetic stimulation. The 15-Hz single-frequency stimulation showed the most significant regulatory effect, but mixing it with higher frequencies significantly weakened that effect. The regulating effect among four different hybrid-frequency ELF-EMF stimulations on LTP showed no significant differences.

Effects of 5-HT1 and 5-HT 2 Receptor Agonists on Electromagnetic Field-Induced Analgesia in Rats.

Ozdemir E, Demirkazik A, Taskıran AS, Arslan G. · 2019

Researchers exposed 66 adult male Wistar albino rats to alternating 50 Hz and 5 mT EMF for 2 hours a day for 15 days, then injected serotonin receptor agonists or antagonists before analgesia tests. Administration of serotonin HCl to MF-exposed rats produced a significant increase in percent maximal possible effect compared with the EMF group. Injection of WAY 100635 to MF-exposed rats produced a significant decrease in analgesic activity, while DOI hydrochloride significantly increased % MPE values compared with the EMF group. The researchers suggested that serotonin 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors play an important role in EMF-induced analgesia, but noted that further research studies are necessary to understand the mechanism.

Long - term exposure of cockroach Blaptica dubia (Insecta: Blaberidae) nymphs to magnetic fields of different characteristics: Effects on antioxidant biomarkers and nymphal gut mass.

Todorović D et al. · 2019

Researchers exposed one-month-old cockroach Blaptica dubia nymphs to magnetic fields for 5 months across three groups: a control group, a static magnetic field (SMF) group at 110 mT, and an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) group at 50 Hz and 10 mT. Gut masses were significantly lower in both magnetic field groups compared to the control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were markedly higher than in the control, while glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly lower in both magnetic field groups. The applied magnetic fields were considered a potential stressor influencing gut mass and the examined antioxidant biomarkers.

High-voltage electrostatic field-induced oxidative stress: Characterization of the physiological effects in Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) across multiple generations.

Luo K, Luo C, Li G, Yao X, Gao R, Hu Z, Zhang G, Zhao H. · 2019

Researchers studied how a high-voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) affected antioxidant enzyme activity and metabolic rate in the wheat aphid Sitobion avenae over multiple generations. Direct exposure of aphids and wheat seeds to a 2- or 4-kV/cm HVEF for 20 minutes resulted in significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the sixth, 11th, 16th, and 21st generations, but significantly decreased SOD activity in the second generation. Catalase and peroxidase activities showed significant decreases across multiple generations, and exposure to the 4-kV/cm HVEF for 20 min also significantly decreased the aphids' metabolic rates.

Biochemical and biomolecular effects induced by a static magnetic field in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Evidence for oxidative stress.

Kthiri A, Hidouri S, Wiem T, Jeridi R, Sheehan D, Landouls A · 2019

Researchers investigated whether an applied static magnetic field could induce biological effects on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and probed biochemical and biomolecular responses. There was a decrease in growth and viability under SMF, with a significant decrease in colony forming units after 6 hours, followed by an increase between 6 and 9 hours. SOD and catalase activities increased in magnetized cultures after 9 hours compared with unexposed samples, while glutathione peroxidase activity decreased. SMF caused an increase in MDA levels as well as the content of protein carbonyl groups after 6 and 9 hours of exposure.

A 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field promotes human cell proliferation by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels

Unknown authors · 2018

Single or repetitive exposure to a 6 mT, 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field did not induce DNA damage or affect cell viability in HeLa and primary IMR-90 fibroblasts. Continuous exposure promoted cell proliferation, with cell viability increasing 24.4% for HeLa and 15.2% for IMR-90 cells after 168 hours of total exposure. The proliferative effect was reversible, as cell proliferation slowed to unexposed levels when the field was removed. Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels decreased and phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 increased, suggesting reduced ROS plays a role in the increased proliferation.

Effects of single and combined low frequency electromagnetic fields and simulated microgravity on gene expression of human mesenchymal stem cells during chondrogenesis

Unknown authors · 2018

Simulated microgravity lowered hypertrophy but also the chondrogenic potential of hMSCs. Combined LF-EMF and SMG provided a rescue effect of the chondrogenic potential of hMSCs. No LF-EMF effect was observed under optimal conditions.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields inhibit human osteoclast formation and gene expression via osteoblasts

Unknown authors · 2018

Researchers tested PEMF (Physio-Stim®) on human bone marrow macrophages differentiated to osteoclasts. PEMF had striking inhibitory effects on osteoclast formation from both younger and older women. Gene expression changes were significantly greater in cells from older women. All identified genes were upregulated and were mesenchymal or osteoblastic genes including TGF-β pathway, extracellular matrix proteins, RANKL and osteoprotegerin. Researchers suggest PEMF inhibits osteoclast formation via action on osteoblasts and may be effective for bone mass maintenance in osteoporosis.

Pathological Findings Observed in the Kidneys of Postnatal Male Rats Exposed to the 2100 MHz Electromagnetic Field

Unknown authors · 2018

They measured reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in kidney tissue and used caspase-3 immunohistochemistry to assess apoptosis. Deterioration was observed in the brush border in renal tubules of the EMF groups. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed a greater number of positively stained renal tubular epithelial cells in the EMF groups compared with the control group. In the EMF groups renal MDA levels increased and renal GSH levels decreased compared with the control group (p = 0.00 for both).

Understanding physical mechanism of low-level microwave radiation effect

Hinrikus H et al · 2018

The review analyzes theoretical and experimental results to explain how low-level microwave radiation affects biological systems. The proposed mechanism states that microwave radiation rotates dipolar molecules, which polarizes the dielectric medium and restructures hydrogen bonds. Weakened hydrogen bonds then decrease viscosity and enhance diffusion at constant temperature. The model's steps have no critical frequency restrictions at microwave frequencies and are supported by electromagnetic field theory and published experiments.

50-Hz magnetic field impairs the expression of iron-related genes in the in vitro SOD1G93A model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Consales C et al. · 2018

The study used SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells stably over-expressing wild-type, G93A, or H46R mutant SOD1. Cells were exposed to 50-Hz, 1 mT ELF-MF or sham control for up to 72 hours. Exposure caused no change in proliferation, viability, or reactive oxygen species, but significantly deregulated iron-related genes IRP1, MFRN1, and TfR1 only in SOD1G93A cells, with a slight difference in total iron content (p = .0512).

Low Frequency Stimulation Reverses the Kindling-Induced Impairment of Learning and Memory in the Rat Passive-avoidance Test.

Esmaeilpour K et al. · 2018

Hippocampal kindled rats showed deficits in learning and memory in the passive-avoidance test. Low-frequency stimulation reversed the impairment in learning and memory behavior in kindled rats. Low-frequency stimulation also diminished kindling-induced neuronal loss and atrophy in the hippocampus. The stimulation protocol used 200 monophasic square wave pulses of 0.1 ms duration at 1 Hz, delivered in four packages every five minutes.

Modulation of antioxidant enzyme gene expression by extremely low frequency electromagnetic field in post-stroke patients.

Cichon N et al. · 2018

Forty-eight post-stroke patients were divided into an ELF-EMF group and a non-ELF-EMF group, both receiving the same physical therapy. The ELF-EMF group received additional ELF-EMF treatment. After therapy, mRNA expression of antioxidant genes CAT, SOD1, SOD2, GPx1, and GPx4 significantly increased in the ELF-EMF group.

Increase in Blood Levels of Growth Factors Involved in the Neuroplasticity Process by Using an Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field in Post-stroke Patients.

Cichoń N et al. · 2018

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field therapy on brain plasticity during stroke rehabilitation. Forty-eight patients were split into two groups receiving the same rehabilitation program, with the study group also receiving a standard series of 10 ELF-EMF treatments. ELF-EMF significantly increased growth factors and cytokines involved in neuroplasticity and promoted better functional recovery.