scholarly journals Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 4-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrtill Simkó
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Increased Risk

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those from electric power transmission and distribution lines (50/60 Hz) have been associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas. Severalin vitrostudies on EMF effects were performed to clarify the existing controversies, define the risks, and determine the possible mechanisms of adverse effects. In some of these reports, the effects were related to other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Modification in cell proliferation was observed after EMF exposure and a few reports on cytotoxic effects have also been published. This limited review gives an overview of the current results of scientific research regardingin vitrostudies on the effects of power line frequency EMF, but also cell biological mechanisms and their potential involvement in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are discussed. Cell cycle control and signal transduction processes are included to elucidate the biochemical background of possible interactions. Exposure to EMF has been also linked to the incidence of leukemia and other tumors in some epidemiological studies and is considered as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, but there is no well-established biological mechanism that explains such a relation. Furthermore, EMF is also shown as a stimulus for immune relevant cells (e.g., macrophages) to release free radicals. It is known that chronic activation of macrophages is associated with the onset of phagocytosis and leads to increased formation of reactive oxygen species, which themselves may cause DNA damage and are suggested to lead to carcinogenesis. To demonstrate a possible interaction between EMF and cellular systems, we present a mechanistic model describing cell activation as a major importance for cellular response.

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Fields, Oxidative Stress, and Neurodegeneration

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Consales ◽  
Caterina Merla ◽  
Carmela Marino ◽  
Barbara Benassi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Great Debate ◽  
Increased Risk

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) originating both from both natural and manmade sources permeate our environment. As people are continuously exposed to EMFs in everyday life, it is a matter of great debate whether they can be harmful to human health. On the basis of two decades of epidemiological studies, an increased risk for childhood leukemia associated with Extremely Low Frequency fields has been consistently assessed, inducing the International Agency for Research on Cancer to insert them in the 2B section of carcinogens in 2001. EMFs interaction with biological systems may cause oxidative stress under certain circumstances. Since free radicals are essential for brain physiological processes and pathological degeneration, research focusing on the possible influence of the EMFs-driven oxidative stress is still in progress, especially in the light of recent studies suggesting that EMFs may contribute to the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. This review synthesizes the emerging evidences about this topic, highlighting the wide data uncertainty that still characterizes the EMFs effect on oxidative stress modulation, as both pro-oxidant and neuroprotective effects have been documented. Care should be taken to avoid methodological limitations and to determine the patho-physiological relevance of any alteration found in EMFs-exposed biological system.

scholarly journals Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Association with Meningioma

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Carlberg ◽  
Tarmo Koppel ◽  
Mikko Ahonen ◽  
Lennart Hardell
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain tumors during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 we assessed lifetime occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with meningioma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT), and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. Results. No increased risk for meningioma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7–1.2, and p linear trend = 0.45 were calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in different time windows. Conclusion. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for meningioma.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Costantini ◽  
Bruna Sinjari ◽  
Chiara D’Angelo ◽  
Giovanna Murmura ◽  
Marcella Reale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Wound Repair ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Gingival Fibroblasts ◽  
Field Exposure ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency

Several clinical studies have suggested the impact of sinusoidal and pulsed electromagnetic fields in quickening wound repair processes and tissue regeneration. The clinical use of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields could represent a novel frontier in tissue repair and oral health, with an interesting clinical perspective. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an extremely low-frequency sinusoidal electromagnetic field (SEMF) and an extremely low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) with flux densities of 1 mT on a model of oral healing process using gingival fibroblasts. An in vitro mechanical injury was produced to evaluate wound healing, migration, viability, metabolism, and the expression of selected cytokines and protease genes in fibroblasts exposed to or not exposed to the SEMF and the PEMF. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β), metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) are involved in wound healing and tissue regeneration, favoring fibroblast proliferation, chemotaxis, and activation. Our results show that the exposure to each type of electromagnetic field increases the early expression of IL-6, TGF-β, and iNOS, driving a shift from an inflammatory to a proliferative phase of wound repair. Additionally, a later induction of MMP-2, MCP-1, and HO-1 was observed after electromagnetic field exposure, which quickened the wound-healing process. Moreover, electromagnetic field exposure influenced the proliferation, migration, and metabolism of human gingival fibroblasts compared to sham-exposed cells. This study suggests that exposure to SEMF and PEMF could be an interesting new non-invasive treatment option for wound healing. However, additional studies are needed to elucidate the best exposure conditions to provide the desired in vivo treatment efficacy.

scholarly journals CT2A Cell Viability Modulated by Electromagnetic Fields at Extremely Low Frequency under No Thermal Effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga García-Minguillán ◽  
Raquel Prous ◽  
Maria del Carmen Ramirez-Castillejo ◽  
Ceferino Maestú
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Frequency Dependence ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Hsp90 Expression

The effects produced by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human beings at extremely low frequencies (ELFs) have being investigated in the past years, across in vitro studies, using different cell lines. Nevertheless, the effects produced on cells are not clarified, and the cellular mechanisms and cell-signaling processes involved are still unknown. This situation has resulted in a division among the scientific community about the adequacy of the recommended level of exposure. In this sense, we consider that it is necessary to develop long-term exposure studies and check if the recommended levels of EMFs are under thermal effects. Hence, we exposed CT2A cells to different EMFs at different ELFs at short and long times. Our results showed frequency dependence in CT2A exposed during 24 h to a small EMF of 30 μT equal to those originated by the Earth and frequency dependence after the exposure during seven days to an EMF of 100 µT at different ELFs. Particularly, our results showed a remarkable cell viability decrease of CT2A cells exposed to EMFs of 30 Hz. Nevertheless, after analyzing the thermal effects in terms of HSP90 expression, we did not find thermal damages related to the differences in cell viability, so other crucial cellular mechanism should be involved.

scholarly journals Cytoskeleton reorganization of spreading cells on micro-patterned islands: a functional model

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1920) ◽  
pp. 2629-2652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Loosli ◽  
R. Luginbuehl ◽  
J. G. Snedeker
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Cell Spreading ◽  
Cellular Interaction

Predictive numerical models of cellular response to biophysical cues have emerged as a useful quantitative tool for cell biology research. Cellular experiments in silico can augment in vitro and in vivo investigations by filling gaps in what is possible to achieve through ‘wet work’. Biophysics-based numerical models can be used to verify the plausibility of mechanisms regulating tissue homeostasis derived from experiments. They can also be used to explore potential targets for therapeutic intervention. In this perspective article we introduce a single cell model developed towards the design of novel biomaterials to elicit a regenerative cellular response for the repair of diseased tissues. The model is governed by basic mechanisms of cell spreading (lamellipodial and filopodial extension, formation of cell–matrix adhesions, actin reinforcement) and is developed in the context of cellular interaction with functionalized substrates that present defined points of potential adhesion. To provide adequate context, we first review the biophysical underpinnings of the model as well as reviewing existing cell spreading models. We then present preliminary benchmarking of the model against published experiments of cell spreading on micro-patterned substrates. Initial results indicate that our mechanistic model may represent a potentially useful approach in a better understanding of cell interactions with the extracellular matrix.

Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on thromboxane B2-release by ionophore-stimulated neutrophils in vitro

1984 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Conti ◽  
G.E. Gigante ◽  
M.G. Cifone ◽  
E. Alesse ◽  
G. Ianni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Thromboxane B2 ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency

scholarly journals A Plausible Biological Mechanism by which Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase the Risk of Childhood Leukemia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel López-Lázaro
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Dna Alterations ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are non-ionizing radiations typically emitted by power lines, electrical wiring and electrical appliances. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown a positive association between ELF-EMFs and childhood leukemia. Exposures greater than 0.3-0.4 µT increase the risk by approximately 1.5-2 fold, and estimates indicate that up to 2% of childhood leukemia cases in Europe may be attributable to ELF-EMFs. However, it is considered unlikely that ELF-EMFs can cause cancer, because carcinogenesis requires the accumulation of DNA alterations and ELF-EMFs do not have enough energy to damage the DNA. Lack of biological plausibility is a barrier to accept the evidence of carcinogenicity in human studies and to take measures to protect pregnant women and children from ELF-EMFs. Recent evidence indicates that non-mutagenic agents can cause DNA alterations and increase the risk of cancer by promoting the accumulation of cell divisions in stem cells. Cell division generates DNA alterations (e.g., mutations arising during DNA replication), which occur even in the absence of DNA-damaging agents. Importantly, ELF-EMFs can trigger the division of stem cells; this effect is under development in the field of regenerative medicine. A possible mechanism by which ELF-EMFs induce the malignant transformation of hematopoietic stem cells is discussed.

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