Exposure to static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields and cellular free radicals

2019 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 1726

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Exposure to static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields and cellular free radicals Lai H. Exposure to static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields and cellular free radicals. Electromagnetic Biology Medicine. Aug 26, 2019. doi.org. Abstract This paper summarizes studies on changes in cellular free radical activities from exposure to static and extremely-low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly magnetic fields. Changes in free radical activities, including levels of cellular reactive oxygen (ROS)/nitrogen (RNS) species and endogenous antioxidant enzymes and compounds that maintain physiological free radical concentrations in cells, is one of the most consistent effects of EMF exposure. These changes have been reported to affect many physiological functions such as DNA damage; immune response; inflammatory response; cell proliferation and differentiation; wound healing; neural electrical activities; and behavior. An important consideration is the effects of EMF-induced changes in free radicals on cell proliferation and differentiation. These cellular processes could affect cancer development and proper growth and development in organisms. On the other hand, they could cause selective killing of cancer cells, for instance, via the generation of the highly cytotoxic hydroxyl free radical by the Fenton Reaction. This provides a possibility of using these electromagnetic fields as a non-invasive and low side-effect cancer therapy. Static- and ELF-EMF probably play important roles in the evolution of living organisms. They are cues used in many critical survival functions, such as foraging, migration, and reproduction. Living organisms can detect and respond immediately to low environmental levels of these fields. Free radical processes are involved in some of these mechanisms. At this time, there is no credible hypothesis or mechanism that can adequately explain all the observed effects of static- and ELF-EMF on free radical processes. We are actually at the impasse that there are more questions than answers. Concluding remarks 1. Change in cellular free radical activity is one of the most consistent effects of static- and ELF-EMF on living organisms. 2. The mechanisms by which static- and ELF-EMF affect cellular free radical processes is not well understood. The "radical pair" hypothesis is a likely candidate, particularly the involvement of cryptochromes. It allows immediate detection and response to changes in static- and ELF-EMF in the environment, which likely play important roles in the evolution of living organisms. 3. Oxidative responses to static- and ELF-EMF are probably dependent on the characteristic of the field and exposure (such as frequency, modulation, and duration) and the exposed object (such as cell type, and states of biological activities), 4. However, chronic exposure that leads to the excessive and persistent presence of free radicals can cause oxidative stress and should be avoided. 5. Effects of static- and ELF-EMF on free radicals probably have beneficial health effects particularly relating to cell proliferation, differentiation, cell death, and cell cycle. These are effects that could influence cancer development and treatment, growth and development, regeneration, and healing. 6. In future research, it is imperative to identify the field parameters that can selectively cause beneficial or detrimental health effects. tandfonline.com

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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This paper summarizes studies reporting changes in cellular free radical activities (including ROS/RNS levels and endogenous antioxidant defenses) following exposure to static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields, particularly magnetic fields, describing these as among the most consistent reported effects. It notes reported downstream associations with multiple physiological functions (e.g., DNA damage, immune/inflammatory responses, proliferation/differentiation, wound healing, neural activity, behavior) and states that mechanisms are not well understood, with no single credible hypothesis explaining all observed effects.

Outcomes measured

cellular free radical activity
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
reactive nitrogen species (RNS)
endogenous antioxidant enzymes/compounds
DNA damage
immune response
inflammatory response
cell proliferation and differentiation
wound healing
neural electrical activities
behavior
oxidative stress
cancer development/treatment (potential implications)

Limitations

Narrative summary; specific exposure parameters (frequency, modulation, duration) and study details are not provided in the abstract.
Mechanisms are stated to be not well understood; no single hypothesis adequately explains all observed effects.
Effects are described as dependent on field characteristics and biological context (cell type/state), limiting generalization.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cellular free radical activity",
    "reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
    "reactive nitrogen species (RNS)",
    "endogenous antioxidant enzymes/compounds",
    "DNA damage",
    "immune response",
    "inflammatory response",
    "cell proliferation and differentiation",
    "wound healing",
    "neural electrical activities",
    "behavior",
    "oxidative stress",
    "cancer development/treatment (potential implications)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This paper summarizes studies reporting changes in cellular free radical activities (including ROS/RNS levels and endogenous antioxidant defenses) following exposure to static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields, particularly magnetic fields, describing these as among the most consistent reported effects. It notes reported downstream associations with multiple physiological functions (e.g., DNA damage, immune/inflammatory responses, proliferation/differentiation, wound healing, neural activity, behavior) and states that mechanisms are not well understood, with no single credible hypothesis explaining all observed effects.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative summary; specific exposure parameters (frequency, modulation, duration) and study details are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Mechanisms are stated to be not well understood; no single hypothesis adequately explains all observed effects.",
    "Effects are described as dependent on field characteristics and biological context (cell type/state), limiting generalization."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static electromagnetic fields",
    "extremely-low frequency (ELF)",
    "magnetic fields",
    "free radicals",
    "oxidative stress",
    "ROS",
    "RNS",
    "antioxidant enzymes",
    "radical pair hypothesis",
    "cryptochromes"
  ],
  "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: 10.1080/15368378.2019.1656645
PubMed: Not supplied

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