RF Safe

External RF-EMF alters cell number and ROS balance possibly via the regulation of NADPH metabolism

Frontiers in Public Health · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 81

In HUVEC in vitro, exposure to weak RF-EMF (6.78 MHz) was reported to produce non-thermal effects, including increased cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and deregulated ROS balance. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified alteration…

Study snapshot

PublicationFrontiers in Public Health · 2024
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

External RF-EMF alters cell number and ROS balance possibly via the regulation of NADPH metabolism and apoptosis Chow S-C, Zhang Y, Ng RWM , Hui S-YR , Solov’yov IA , Lui W-Y. External RF-EMF alters cell number and ROS balance possibly via the regulation of NADPH metabolism and apoptosis. Frontiers in Public Health. 12 (2024). doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425023. Abstract The influence of weak radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on living organisms raises new concern because of the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency band at 6.78 MHz being promoted by the AirFuel Alliance for mid-range wireless power transfer (WPT) applications and product development. Human exposure to the RF-EMF radiation is unavoidable. In this study, we employed in vitro cell culture and molecular biology approach coupled with integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to uncover the effects of RF-EMF on cells at molecular and cellular levels. Our study has demonstrated that weak RF-EMF is sufficient to exert non-thermal effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Exposure of weak RF-EMF promotes cell proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and deregulates ROS balance. Alteration of several signaling pathways and key enzymes involved in NADPH metabolism, cell proliferation and ferroptosis were identified. Our current study provide solid evidence for the first time that the present safety standards that solely considered the thermal effect of RF-EMF on cell tissue are inadequate, prompt response and modification of existing Guidelines, Standards and Regulation are warranted. Open access paper: frontiersin.org health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425023/full

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro
Effect directionmixed
PopulationHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 6.78 MHz
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In HUVEC in vitro, exposure to weak RF-EMF (6.78 MHz) was reported to produce non-thermal effects, including increased cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and deregulated ROS balance. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified alterations in signaling pathways and enzymes involved in NADPH metabolism, cell proliferation, and ferroptosis.

Outcomes measured

  • cell number / proliferation
  • apoptosis
  • ROS balance
  • signaling pathways
  • NADPH metabolism (key enzymes)
  • ferroptosis-related pathways

Limitations

  • In vitro cell culture study (generalizability to humans not established in abstract)
  • Exposure duration and dosimetry metrics (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless power transfer (WPT) / ISM band exposure",
    "frequency_mhz": 6.78,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell number / proliferation",
    "apoptosis",
    "ROS balance",
    "signaling pathways",
    "NADPH metabolism (key enzymes)",
    "ferroptosis-related pathways"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In HUVEC in vitro, exposure to weak RF-EMF (6.78 MHz) was reported to produce non-thermal effects, including increased cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and deregulated ROS balance. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified alterations in signaling pathways and enzymes involved in NADPH metabolism, cell proliferation, and ferroptosis.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture study (generalizability to humans not established in abstract)",
    "Exposure duration and dosimetry metrics (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "6.78 MHz",
    "ISM band",
    "wireless power transfer",
    "AirFuel Alliance",
    "HUVEC",
    "non-thermal effects",
    "cell proliferation",
    "apoptosis",
    "ROS",
    "NADPH metabolism",
    "transcriptomics",
    "proteomics",
    "ferroptosis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Abstract discusses adequacy of current RF-EMF safety standards/guidelines focused on thermal effects."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425023
PubMed: Not supplied

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