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Critical role of model organism selection in assessing weak urban electromagnetic field effects:

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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Weak low-intensity urban-like magnetic fields (reported as 20 μT; 50 Hz or combined 50/150 Hz) produced minimal changes in yeast after 24 h (extension of exponential growth phase by 17 h). In contrast, human macrophages showed morphological/phenotypic changes…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · 2024
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Critical role of model organism selection in assessing weak urban electromagnetic field effects: Implications for human health Sincak M, Adamkova P, Demeckova V, Smelko M, Lipovsky P, Oravec M, Luptakova A, Sedlakova- Kadukova J. Critical role of model organism selection in assessing weak urban electromagnetic field effects: Implications for human health. Bioelectrochemistry. 2024 Jun 29;160:108756. doi: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108756. Highlights • Real urban electromagnetic field present a combination 50 and 150 Hz in ratio 4:1. • Macrophages shifted from M2 to M1 phenotype in 2 h in urban magnetic field. • Urban magnetic fields can induce pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype. • Yeast showed only one change: 17 h exponential growth phase extension. • Is crucial to choose proper organism for study of urban magnetic field perception. Abstract The impact of electromagnetic fields on human health has been investigated in recent years using various model organisms, yet the findings remain unclear. In our work, we examined the effect of less- explored, weak electromagnetic fields commonly found in the urban environments we inhabit. We studied different impacts of electromagnetic fields with a frequency of 50 Hz and a combination of 50 Hz and 150 Hz, on both yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and human macrophages. We determined growth, survival, and protein composition (SDS-PAGE) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and morphology of macrophages (human monocytic cell line). In yeast, the sole observed change after 24 h of exposure was the extension of the exponential growth phase by 17 h. Conversely, macrophages exhibited morphological transformations from the anti-inflammatory to the pro-inflammatory type within just 2 h of exposure to the electromagnetic field. Our results suggest that effects of electromagnetic field largely depend on the model organism. The selection of an appropriate model organism proves essential for the study of the specific impacts of electromagnetic fields. The potential risk associated with the presence of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in everyday urban environments primarily arises from the continual promotion of inflammatory reactions within a healthy organism and deserves further investigation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusion Based on our observations, macrophages appear to be more responsive to the presence of an electromagnetic field, making them a more proper model organism for describing the influence of the urban electromagnetic environment on humans compared to yeasts. Our results demonstrate that while yeasts did not exhibit changes in growth, pH, and redox potential within 24 h under low-intensity fields (20 μT and 50 or 50/150 Hz), immune system cells detected a magnetic field alteration within just 2 h, manifested in a shift in their phenotype. Though these changes were temporary, the transformation of macrophages into pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages raises concerns about the potential risks associated with prolonged exposure to the weak urban electromagnetic fields that surround us daily. Continuous exposure to electromagnetic fields in our daily lives may have adverse effects on our health, as demonstrated through the use of macrophages as model organisms.

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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
PopulationSaccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and human macrophages (human monocytic cell line)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 2 h (macrophages); 24 h (yeast)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Weak low-intensity urban-like magnetic fields (reported as 20 μT; 50 Hz or combined 50/150 Hz) produced minimal changes in yeast after 24 h (extension of exponential growth phase by 17 h). In contrast, human macrophages showed morphological/phenotypic changes from anti-inflammatory (M2) to pro-inflammatory (M1) within 2 h of exposure; the abstract notes these changes were temporary.

Outcomes measured

  • Yeast growth/survival
  • Yeast protein composition (SDS-PAGE)
  • Macrophage morphology/phenotype (M2 to M1 shift)
  • Yeast pH and redox potential (mentioned in conclusion)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided text
  • In vitro models (yeast and a human monocytic cell line) may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes
  • Exposure characterization details beyond frequencies, ratio (4:1), and intensity (20 μT) are not provided in the abstract (e.g., full waveform, exposure setup)
  • Outcomes for macrophages described primarily as morphology/phenotype without additional functional or molecular endpoints in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "urban environment",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h (macrophages); 24 h (yeast)"
  },
  "population": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and human macrophages (human monocytic cell line)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Yeast growth/survival",
    "Yeast protein composition (SDS-PAGE)",
    "Macrophage morphology/phenotype (M2 to M1 shift)",
    "Yeast pH and redox potential (mentioned in conclusion)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Weak low-intensity urban-like magnetic fields (reported as 20 μT; 50 Hz or combined 50/150 Hz) produced minimal changes in yeast after 24 h (extension of exponential growth phase by 17 h). In contrast, human macrophages showed morphological/phenotypic changes from anti-inflammatory (M2) to pro-inflammatory (M1) within 2 h of exposure; the abstract notes these changes were temporary.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided text",
    "In vitro models (yeast and a human monocytic cell line) may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes",
    "Exposure characterization details beyond frequencies, ratio (4:1), and intensity (20 μT) are not provided in the abstract (e.g., full waveform, exposure setup)",
    "Outcomes for macrophages described primarily as morphology/phenotype without additional functional or molecular endpoints in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "urban electromagnetic field",
    "ELF magnetic field",
    "50 Hz",
    "150 Hz",
    "20 μT",
    "Saccharomyces cerevisiae",
    "human macrophages",
    "monocytic cell line",
    "M1 macrophage",
    "M2 macrophage",
    "pro-inflammatory phenotype",
    "SDS-PAGE"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines low-frequency (50/150 Hz) weak urban magnetic fields."
    },
    {
      "slug": "in-vitro-studies",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Experiments performed on yeast and a human monocytic cell line in vitro."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108756
PubMed: 38959750

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