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835 MHz RF-EMF decreases expression of calcium channels, inhibits apoptosis, but induces autophagy in mouse hippocampus

2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2126

After 4 weeks of 835 MHz RF-EMF exposure at SAR 4.0 W/kg, pan-calcium channel expression in mouse hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased. Autolysosome accumulation was observed and autophagy-related genes/proteins (e.g., LC3B-II) were significantly i…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

835 MHz RF-EMF decreases expression of calcium channels, inhibits apoptosis, but induces autophagy in mouse hippocampus Kim JH, Sohn UD, Kim HG, Kim HR. Exposure to 835 MHz RF-EMF decreases the expression of calcium channels, inhibits apoptosis, but induces autophagy in the mouse hippocampus. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2018 May;22(3):277-289. doi: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.3.277. Abstract The exponential increase in the use of mobile communication has triggered public concerns about the potential adverse effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones on the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we explored the relationship between calcium channels and apoptosis or autophagy in the hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice after RF-EMF exposure with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 4 weeks. Firstly, the expression level of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), a key regulator of the entry of calcium ions into the cell, was confirmed by immunoblots. We investigated and confirmed that pan- calcium channel expression in hippocampal neurons were significantly decreased after exposure to RF-EMF. With the observed accumulation of autolysosomes in hippocampal neurons via TEM, the expressions of autophagy-related genes and proteins (e.g., LC3B-II) had significantly increased. However, down-regulation of the apoptotic pathway may contribute to the decrease in calcium channel expression, and thus lower levels of calcium in hippocampal neurons. These results suggested that exposure of RF-EMF could alter intracellular calcium homeostasis by decreasing calcium channel expression in the hippocampus; presumably by activating the autophagy pathway, while inhibiting apoptotic regulation as an adaptation process for 835 MHz RF-EMF exposure. Open access paper: pdf.medrang.co.kr

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 typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationC57BL/6 mice (hippocampus)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 835 MHz · 4 W/kg · 4 weeks
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 4 weeks of 835 MHz RF-EMF exposure at SAR 4.0 W/kg, pan-calcium channel expression in mouse hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased. Autolysosome accumulation was observed and autophagy-related genes/proteins (e.g., LC3B-II) were significantly increased, while the apoptotic pathway was described as down-regulated/inhibited.

Outcomes measured

  • Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) expression in hippocampal neurons
  • Autophagy markers/genes (e.g., LC3B-II)
  • Autolysosome accumulation (TEM)
  • Apoptotic pathway regulation/apoptosis

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure setup details beyond frequency, SAR, and duration not provided (e.g., modulation, daily exposure schedule)
  • Findings are from an animal model (mouse hippocampus), limiting direct generalization to humans
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 835,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "4 weeks"
  },
  "population": "C57BL/6 mice (hippocampus)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) expression in hippocampal neurons",
    "Autophagy markers/genes (e.g., LC3B-II)",
    "Autolysosome accumulation (TEM)",
    "Apoptotic pathway regulation/apoptosis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 4 weeks of 835 MHz RF-EMF exposure at SAR 4.0 W/kg, pan-calcium channel expression in mouse hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased. Autolysosome accumulation was observed and autophagy-related genes/proteins (e.g., LC3B-II) were significantly increased, while the apoptotic pathway was described as down-regulated/inhibited.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure setup details beyond frequency, SAR, and duration not provided (e.g., modulation, daily exposure schedule)",
    "Findings are from an animal model (mouse hippocampus), limiting direct generalization to humans"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "835 MHz",
    "SAR 4.0 W/kg",
    "mouse",
    "hippocampus",
    "voltage-gated calcium channels",
    "VGCC",
    "autophagy",
    "LC3B-II",
    "apoptosis",
    "TEM",
    "intracellular calcium homeostasis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines RF-EMF at 835 MHz, described as emitted by mobile phones."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.3.277
PubMed: Not supplied

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