Extremely low-level microwaves attenuate immune imbalance induced by inhalation exposure to low-level toluene in mice

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1384

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Extremely low-level microwaves attenuate immune imbalance induced by inhalation exposure to low-level toluene in mice Novoselova EG, Glushkova OV, Khrenov MO, Novoselova TV, Lunin SM, Fesenko EE. Extremely low-level microwaves attenuate immune imbalance induced by inhalation exposure to low-level toluene in mice. Int J Radiat Biol. 2017 Jan 9:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1270473. Abstract PURPOSE: To clarify whether extremely low-level microwaves (MW) alone or in combination with p38 inhibitor affect immune cell responses to inhalation exposure of mice to low-level toluene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytokine profile, heat shock proteins expression, and the activity of several signal cascades, namely, NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK, and TLR4 were measured in spleen lymphocytes of mice treated to air-delivered toluene (0.6 mg/m3) or extremely low-level microwaves (8.15-18 GHz, 1μW/cm2, 1 Hz swinging frequency) or combined action of these two factors. RESULTS: A single exposure to air-delivered low-level toluene induced activation of NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IFR-3, p38 MAPK and TLR4 pathways. Furthermore, air toluene induced the expression of Hsp72 and enhanced IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in blood plasma, which is indicative of a pro-inflammatory response. Exposure to MW alone also resulted in the enhancement of the plasma cytokine values (e.g. IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and activation of the NF- κB, MAPK p38, and especially the TLR4 pathways in splenic lymphocytes. Paradoxically, pre-exposure to MW partially recovered or normalized the lymphocyte parameters in the toluene-exposed mice, while the p38 inhibitor XI additionally increased protective activity of microwaves by down regulating MAPKs (JNK and p38), IKK, as well as expression of TLR4 and Hsp90-α. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that exposure to low-intensity MW at specific conditions may recover immune parameters in mice undergoing inhalation exposure to low-level toluene via mechanisms involving cellular signaling. EXCERPT: In the present study, we examined the effects of MW on the immunity of toluene-exposed mice. We hypothesized that MW exposure would protect mouse cells from the possible toxic effects of toluene. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that the extremely low-level centimetre waves improved immunity of tumor- bearing mice, and this anti-tumor effect was mediated by TNF production (Novoselova et al. 2004Novoselova EG, Ogay VB, Sorokina OV, Glushkova OV, Sinotova OA, Fesenko EE.2004. The production of tumor necrosis factor in cells of tumor-bearing mice after total-body microwave irradiation and antioxidant diet. Elec Bio Med. 23:167-180.[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science (r)]). These results indicate the biologic activity of extremely low-level MW that might be used as a tolerable immunomodulatory factor. The present study demonstrated that the p38 Inhibitor XI increased the protective activity of MW via down-regulation of MAPKs (JNK and p38), IKK, as well as expression of TLR4 and Hsp90-α. In conclusion, we focused on the changes of several signaling cascade activities, plasma cytokine values, TLR4 and heat shock protein expression in mice exposed to a low-level of toluene, with or without MW alone or in combination with p38 Inhibitor XI. Our data demonstrated that a single exposure to low-level air toluene induced a pro-inflammatory response, while MW alone or in combination with the inhibitor, partially recovered or normalized the studied parameters in the murine spleen. Further studies using appropriate animal models are necessary to provide evidence-based support for new MW facilities to regulate the immune response following exposure to environmental toxins. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMice

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In mice, a single inhalation exposure to low-level toluene (0.6 mg/m3) activated NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK and TLR4 pathways, increased Hsp72 expression, and increased plasma IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α. Microwave exposure alone (8.15–18 GHz, 1 μW/cm2, 1 Hz swinging frequency) increased plasma cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and activated NF-κB, p38 MAPK and especially TLR4 in splenic lymphocytes. Pre-exposure to microwaves partially recovered/normalized lymphocyte parameters in toluene-exposed mice, and a p38 inhibitor further increased this protective activity with down-regulation of MAPKs (JNK and p38), IKK, and reduced TLR4 and Hsp90-α expression.

Outcomes measured

Cytokine profile (blood plasma IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ)
Heat shock protein expression (Hsp72, Hsp90-α)
Signaling pathway activity in spleen lymphocytes (NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK, TLR4, IKK)
Immune imbalance/pro-inflammatory response to inhaled toluene

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration/timing details not fully specified in abstract (e.g., length of microwave exposure, timing of pre-exposure)
Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cytokine profile (blood plasma IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ)",
    "Heat shock protein expression (Hsp72, Hsp90-α)",
    "Signaling pathway activity in spleen lymphocytes (NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK, TLR4, IKK)",
    "Immune imbalance/pro-inflammatory response to inhaled toluene"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In mice, a single inhalation exposure to low-level toluene (0.6 mg/m3) activated NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK and TLR4 pathways, increased Hsp72 expression, and increased plasma IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α. Microwave exposure alone (8.15–18 GHz, 1 μW/cm2, 1 Hz swinging frequency) increased plasma cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and activated NF-κB, p38 MAPK and especially TLR4 in splenic lymphocytes. Pre-exposure to microwaves partially recovered/normalized lymphocyte parameters in toluene-exposed mice, and a p38 inhibitor further increased this protective activity with down-regulation of MAPKs (JNK and p38), IKK, and reduced TLR4 and Hsp90-α expression.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration/timing details not fully specified in abstract (e.g., length of microwave exposure, timing of pre-exposure)",
    "Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwaves",
    "extremely low-level",
    "8.15-18 GHz",
    "1 μW/cm2",
    "toluene inhalation",
    "mice",
    "cytokines",
    "NF-κB",
    "p38 MAPK",
    "TLR4",
    "heat shock proteins",
    "immunomodulation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1270473
PubMed: Not supplied

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