EMF Research Studies

(2019) Towards predicting intracellular radiofrequency radiation effects

Nielsen et al · 2019

Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field promotes differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells through upregulation of miR-219-5p in vitro

Yao F et al. · 2019

Researchers randomly divided oligodendrocyte precursor cells into PEMF and non-PEMF groups and assessed differentiation markers at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. PEMF exposure increased miR-219-5p expression and decreased Lingo1 expression during OPC differentiation. Under PEMF, miR-219-5p targeted Lingo1 and reversed the inhibitory effect of a miR-219-5p inhibitor on OPC differentiation. The authors concluded that PEMF promotes OPC differentiation by regulating miR-219-5p activity in vitro.

Extremely low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields affect proangiogenic-related gene expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells

Unknown authors · 2019

Researchers exposed primary cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells to 50 Hz extremely low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields for three days. They measured cell proliferation and apoptosis using ELISA and assessed gene expression of proangiogenic factors using RT-PCR. The exposure did not change cell proliferation or cell death, but it significantly increased the transcript levels of several proangiogenic genes including HIF-1α, VEGFA, VEGFR-2, CTGF, cathepsin D, TIMP-1, E2F3, MMP-2, and MMP-9.

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.

Genotoxic effects of intermediate frequency magnetic fields on blood leukocytes in vitro

Unknown authors · 2019

The study evaluated genotoxic effects of 123.90 kHz and 250.80 kHz intermediate frequency magnetic fields on canine and human blood. Blood samples were exposed at 630 A/m (0.79 mT) and 80 A/m (0.10 mT) for durations of 1-5 hours, 20 hours, and 24 hours. The alkaline comet assay was used to assess genotoxicity. A statistically significant increase in DNA damage was detected only after 20 hours of exposure.

Microwaves from mobile phone induce reactive oxygen species but not DNA damage, preleukemic fusion genes and apoptosis in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

Unknown authors · 2019

No persistent differences in DNA damage, preleukemic fusion genes, or apoptosis were found between exposed and sham-exposed samples. A transient increase in reactive oxygen species appeared after one hour of UMTS exposure but was not evident three hours later. The reactive oxygen species rise was greater with higher cellular differentiation.

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.

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 electromagnetic field, cisplatin and morphine on cytotoxicity and expression levels of DNA repair genes

Unknown authors · 2018

Evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field on mesenchymal stromal cells

Unknown authors · 2018

Researchers exposed human mesenchymal stromal cells to 5 Hz, 0.4 mT ELF-EMF for 20 minutes per day, three times per week for two weeks. They then assayed cell viability, proliferation rates, and chromosome breaks. The analysis showed no cytotoxicity and no chromosome breaks, indicating no genotoxicity.

The effects of electromagnetic fields on cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Unknown authors · 2018

Researchers exposed cultured neonatal human retinal pigment epithelial cells to pulsed electromagnetic fields at 1 mT and 50 Hz for 8 hours daily over 3 days. They assessed cell proliferation, cell death, protein expression of RPE65, PAX6, nestin, and cytokeratin 8/18, and gene expression of NES, PAX6, RPE65, and ACTA2. Exposed cells showed no significant changes in cytomorphology, proliferation, or death. Protein expression of PAX6 decreased while RPE65, cytokeratin 8/18, and nestin remained unchanged. Gene expression of NES, RPE65, and PAX6 decreased, while ACTA2 did not change significantly.

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.

Effects of 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure on DNA damage and cellular functions in primary cultured neurogenic cells

Unknown authors · 2018

The study exposed primary cultured astrocytes, microglia, and cortical neurons to RF-EMF at a SAR of 4.0 W/kg. DNA damage was assessed using γH2AX foci formation, cytokine secretion by ELISA, microglial phagocytosis by phagocytosis assay, and neuronal development by immunofluorescent staining for specific proteins. RF-EMF exposure did not significantly induce γH2AX foci formation in the three neurogenic cell types. Cytokine secretion in astrocytes and microglia and dendritic or synaptic morphology in cortical neurons were not significantly affected. However, microglial phagocytic activity was significantly reduced and cortical neuron axon branch length and number were significantly inhibited.

Study of the effects of 0.15 terahertz radiation on genome integrity of adult fibroblasts

Unknown authors · 2018

Genotoxic effects in human fibroblasts exposed to microwave radiation

Unknown authors · 2018

The study aimed to evaluate genotoxic and cellular effects of in vitro exposure of human fetal and adult fibroblasts to microwave radiation at 25 GHz. Comet assay, phosphorylation of H2AX histone, and CREST-negative micronuclei frequency excluded direct DNA damage in exposed fibroblasts. No induction of apoptosis or changes in prosurvival signalling proteins were detected. CREST analysis showed an increase in total micronuclei and centromere-positive micronuclei in exposed samples, indicating aneuploidy induction due to chromosome loss.

Mobile phone specific electromagnetic fields induce transient DNA damage and nucleotide excision repair in serum-deprived human glioblastoma cells

Unknown authors · 2018

Researchers investigated the impact of the UMTS signal on DNA stability in ten human cell lines at SAR values of 0.25 to 1.00 W/kg. No DNA damage was detected in single cell gel electrophoresis assays when cells were cultivated with serum, but serum-deprived p53-proficient U87 glioblastoma cells showed transient DNA damage and induced nucleotide excision repair without double-strand breaks, while p53-deficient U251 cells showed no effects. The authors concluded that the signal causes transient genetic instability in glioma-derived cells and activates cellular defense systems.

Protective effect of 1950 MHz electromagnetic field in human neuroblastoma cells challenged with menadione

Unknown authors · 2018

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field reduces oxidative stress during the rehabilitation of post-acute stroke patients.

Cichoń N, Rzeźnicka P, Bijak M, Miller E, Miller S, Saluk J. · 2018

Researchers enrolled 57 post-stroke patients and assigned them to an ELF-EMF therapy group or a control group that received only kinesiotherapy. Oxidative stress was measured in plasma using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), thiol groups, and carbonyl groups. Rehabilitation progress was assessed with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). All oxidative stress parameters were significantly reduced and clinical parameters significantly improved in the ELF-EMF group compared with the control group.

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.

Exposure to radiation from single or combined radio frequencies provokes macrophage dysfunction in the RAW 264.7 cell line.

López-Furelos A et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to single or combined radiofrequency signals at 900 and 2450 MHz for 4, 24, 48, or 72 hours in a GTEM chamber. They measured cell viability, nitric oxide production, HSP70 and TNF-α expression, and phagocytic activity. Phagocytic activity declined with longer exposure, while combined exposure raised HSP70 at 48 hours and significantly increased nitric oxide and TNF-α at 72 hours.

Electromagnetic radiation 2450 MHz exposure causes cognition deficit with mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rats.

Gupta SK, Mesharam MK, Krishnamurthy S. · 2018

Male rats were exposed to EMR (900, 1800 and 2450 MHz) every day for 1 h for 28 consecutive days. Animals exposed to EMR-2450 MHz exhibited significant cognitive deficits. EMR-2450 MHz caused loss of mitochondrial function and integrity, an increase in amyloid beta expression. There was release of cytochrome-c and activation of apoptotic factors such as caspase-9 and -3 in the hippocampus. Further, there was decrease in levels of acetylcholine, and increase in activity of acetyl cholinesterase, indicating impairment of cholinergic system.

Nitric oxide modulates the responses of osteoclast formation to static magnetic fields

Zhang J, Ding C, Meng X, Shang P · 2018

Researchers studied whether nitric oxide modulates the responses of osteoclast formation to static magnetic fields. Field strengths of 500 nT (hypomagnetic field), 0.2 T (moderate static magnetic field), and 16 T (high static magnetic field) were utilized as treatment. At 16 T, osteoclast formation was markedly decreased and nitric oxide synthase activity was enhanced, producing a high level of NO. At 500 nT and 0.2 T, osteoclast formation increased alongside decreased NOS activity and NO production.

On the mechanism of the cell cycle control of suspension-cultured tobacco cells after exposure to static magnetic field.

Mohammadi F, Ghanati F, Sharifi M, Chashmi NA · 2018

Exposure to the static magnetic field delayed the G1 to S transition in the cell cycle, accompanied by a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase A and D-type cyclin. The static magnetic field also increased levels of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and salicylic acid compared to the control group.