The Immunomodulatory Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Serum Cytokine Levels in A Mouse Model of Hindlimb Unloading

2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1533

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The Immunomodulatory Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Serum Cytokine Levels in A Mouse Model of Hindlimb Unloading Aghajari S, Mortazavi SMJ, Kalani M, Nematolahi S, Habibzadeh P, Farjadian S. The Immunomodulatory Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Serum Cytokine Levels in A Mouse Model of Hindlimb Unloading. Cell J. 2021 Jan;22(4):401-405. doi: 10.22074/cellj.2021.6856. Abstract Objective: Astronauts are exposed to a wide range of environmental stresses during space flights that reduce their immune responses and make them more susceptible to infections and malignancies. Exposure to a low dose of a certain stress induces an adaptive response, which leads to resistance to higher doses of the same or other types of stress. We designed this study to investigate the effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF)-induced adaptive response on immune system modulation in a mouse model of hindlimb unloading (HU) as a ground-based animal model of spaceflight conditions. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, serum levels of T helper (Th)-mediated cytokines were determined by the multiplex cytometric bead assay in four groups of mice (n=10 per group): HU mice, RF-EMF- treated mice, HU mice pre-exposed to RF-EMF; and untreated controls. Mice were exposed to 2450 MHz RF- EMF with SAR 0.478 W/ kg for 12 hours/day for three successive days. Results: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-9 (IL-9) and IL-22 were significantly decreased in HU mice. Comparison between HU mice and RF-EMF-treated mice showed an opposite change in IL-6, while IL-9, IL- 22, IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased in both groups. However, just interferon gamma (IFN-γ) was significantly decreased in HU mice that were pre-exposed to RF-EMF compared to the control group. Conclusion: The effect of RF-EMF in elevating IL-6 and reducing IL-9 in opposite directions in HU mice suggest a modulating effect of RF-EMF on HU-induced changes in these cytokines, as Th2 and Th9 eventually returned to normal levels and balances in cytokine ratios were also restored in HU mice pre-exposed to RF-EMF. 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 in a hindlimb unloading (HU) model (ground-based model of spaceflight conditions)

Sample size40

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 0.478 W/kg · 12 hours/day for three successive days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In HU mice, TNF-α, IL-9, and IL-22 were significantly decreased. Compared with HU mice, RF-EMF-treated mice showed an opposite change in IL-6, while IL-9, IL-22, IFN-γ, and TNF-α decreased in both groups. In HU mice pre-exposed to RF-EMF, only IFN-γ was significantly decreased versus controls; the authors report restoration of Th2/Th9 levels and cytokine ratio balances in this pre-exposed HU group.

Outcomes measured

Serum cytokine levels (Th-mediated)
TNF-α
IL-9
IL-22
IL-6
IFN-γ
Cytokine ratios / Th subset balance (Th2, Th9)

Limitations

No details provided in abstract on randomization/blinding
Short exposure duration (3 days) and limited follow-up described
Outcomes limited to selected serum cytokines; clinical endpoints not reported
Animal model (hindlimb unloading) may not generalize to humans

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 0.478,
    "duration": "12 hours/day for three successive days"
  },
  "population": "Mice in a hindlimb unloading (HU) model (ground-based model of spaceflight conditions)",
  "sample_size": 40,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum cytokine levels (Th-mediated)",
    "TNF-α",
    "IL-9",
    "IL-22",
    "IL-6",
    "IFN-γ",
    "Cytokine ratios / Th subset balance (Th2, Th9)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In HU mice, TNF-α, IL-9, and IL-22 were significantly decreased. Compared with HU mice, RF-EMF-treated mice showed an opposite change in IL-6, while IL-9, IL-22, IFN-γ, and TNF-α decreased in both groups. In HU mice pre-exposed to RF-EMF, only IFN-γ was significantly decreased versus controls; the authors report restoration of Th2/Th9 levels and cytokine ratio balances in this pre-exposed HU group.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No details provided in abstract on randomization/blinding",
    "Short exposure duration (3 days) and limited follow-up described",
    "Outcomes limited to selected serum cytokines; clinical endpoints not reported",
    "Animal model (hindlimb unloading) may not generalize to humans"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
    "RF-EMF",
    "2450 MHz",
    "SAR",
    "hindlimb unloading",
    "mouse model",
    "adaptive response",
    "immunomodulation",
    "cytokines",
    "IL-6",
    "IL-9",
    "IL-22",
    "IFN-γ",
    "TNF-α"
  ],
  "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: 10.22074/cellj.2021.6856
PubMed: Not supplied

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