Evaluation in humans of ELF-EMF exposure on chromogranin A, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1650

In controls, serum CgA showed a nighttime peak with progressive decline to a morning nadir. In chronically exposed men (50-Hz magnetic field), CgA profile and concentrations did not appear impaired versus controls, though a trend toward lower levels was noted…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typecohort

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Evaluation in humans of ELF-EMF exposure on chromogranin A, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress Touitou Y, Lambrozo J, Mauvieux B, Riedel M. Evaluation in humans of ELF-EMF exposure on chromogranin A, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress. Chronobiol Int. 2019 Nov 4:1-8. doi: 10.1080/07420528.2019.1683857. Abstract Chromogranin A (CgA), which is a major protein in adrenal chromaffin cells and adrenergic neurons, is a clinically relevant endocrine and neuroendocrine tumor marker including pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and related neurogenic tumors. In this study, we looked at the effect in humans of chronic daily exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field. We examined in 15 men (38.0 ± 0.9 years) the effects of chronic daily exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field for 1-20 yrs both at home and at work. EMDEX II dosimeters were used to record magnetic field all day long every 30 s. for 1 week. The weekly geometric mean of the individual exposures ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 μT. Blood samples were taken hourly between 20:00 h and 08:00 h. CgA patterns of exposed subjects were compared to age-matched controls. The results of exposed subjects were compared with those for 15 unexposed men who served as controls and whose individual exposure was ten times lower ranging from 0.004 to 0.092 μT. This work shows that in the control group the serum CgA levels exhibited a nighttime peak with a progressive decline of the serum concentrations and a nadir in the morning. Both the profile and the serum concentrations of CgA, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress, did not appear to be impaired in the subjects chronically exposed over a long period (up to 20 yrs) to magnetic fields though a trend toward lower levels were found at the highest exposure (>0.3 μT). This does not rule out, however, that the potential deleterious risk of ELF-EMF on frail populations such as children and the elderly may be greater at low exposure and should hence be documented, at least for their residential exposure. 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 typecohort

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMen (mean age 38.0 ± 0.9 years); exposed group compared with age-matched male controls

Sample size30

ExposureELF · chronic daily exposure for 1–20 years; personal dosimetry for 1 week

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels
Nighttime profile/circadian pattern of CgA

Limitations

Small sample size (15 exposed, 15 controls)
Exposure measurement reported for 1 week despite long-term exposure history (1–20 years)
Only adult men studied; results may not generalize to other groups
Trend at highest exposure reported without clear statistical detail in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "residential and occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "chronic daily exposure for 1–20 years; personal dosimetry for 1 week"
  },
  "population": "Men (mean age 38.0 ± 0.9 years); exposed group compared with age-matched male controls",
  "sample_size": 30,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels",
    "Nighttime profile/circadian pattern of CgA"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In controls, serum CgA showed a nighttime peak with progressive decline to a morning nadir. In chronically exposed men (50-Hz magnetic field), CgA profile and concentrations did not appear impaired versus controls, though a trend toward lower levels was noted at the highest exposure (>0.3 µT).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (15 exposed, 15 controls)",
    "Exposure measurement reported for 1 week despite long-term exposure history (1–20 years)",
    "Only adult men studied; results may not generalize to other groups",
    "Trend at highest exposure reported without clear statistical detail in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50-Hz magnetic field",
    "chromogranin A",
    "CgA",
    "neuroendocrine tumor marker",
    "stress marker",
    "personal dosimetry",
    "EMDEX II",
    "circadian profile",
    "occupational exposure",
    "residential exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Exposure assessed at work and at home over years; personal dosimetry used."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/07420528.2019.1683857
PubMed: Not supplied

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