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ELF EMFs Affect Myogenic Processes in C2C12 Myoblasts: Role of Gap-Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication

2017 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 2243

C2C12 myoblast exposure to ELF-EMFs did not affect viability or proliferation. At ELF-EMF intensity in the mT range, the myogenic process was accelerated with increased expression of MyoD, myogenin, and connexin 43, alongside increased gap-junction function (…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

ELF EMFs Affect Myogenic Processes in C2C12 Myoblasts: Role of Gap-Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication Morabito C, Steimberg N, Rovetta F, Boniotti J, Guarnieri S, Mazzoleni G, Mariggiò MA. Extremely Low- Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Affect Myogenic Processes in C2C12 Myoblasts: Role of Gap-Junction- Mediated Intercellular Communication. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:2460215. doi: 10.1155/2017/2460215. Abstract Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) can interact with biological systems. Although they are successfully used as therapeutic agents in physiatrics and rehabilitative practice, they might represent environmental pollutants and pose a risk to human health. Due to the lack of evidence of their mechanism of action, the effects of ELF-EMFs on differentiation processes in skeletal muscle were investigated. C2C12 myoblasts were exposed to ELF-EMFs generated by a solenoid. The effects of ELF-EMFs on cell viability and on growth and differentiation rates were studied using colorimetric and vital dye assays, cytomorphology, and molecular analysis of MyoD and myogenin expression, respectively. The establishment of functional gap junctions was investigated analyzing connexin 43 expression levels and measuring cell permeability, using microinjection/dye-transfer assays. The ELF-EMFs did not affect C2C12 myoblast viability or proliferation rate. Conversely, at ELF-EMF intensity in the mT range, the myogenic process was accelerated, through increased expression of MyoD, myogenin, and connexin 43. The increase in gap-junction function suggests promoting cell fusion and myotube differentiation. These data provide the first evidence of the mechanism through which ELF- EMFs may provide therapeutic benefits and can resolve, at least in part, some conditions of muscle dysfunction. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 typein_vitro
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationC2C12 myoblasts (mouse myoblast cell line)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

C2C12 myoblast exposure to ELF-EMFs did not affect viability or proliferation. At ELF-EMF intensity in the mT range, the myogenic process was accelerated with increased expression of MyoD, myogenin, and connexin 43, alongside increased gap-junction function (dye-transfer), suggesting promotion of cell fusion and myotube differentiation.

Outcomes measured

  • cell viability
  • cell proliferation rate
  • growth rate
  • differentiation rate / myogenic process
  • MyoD expression
  • myogenin expression
  • connexin 43 expression
  • gap junction function (cell permeability; dye-transfer)
  • cell fusion / myotube differentiation (suggested)

Limitations

  • In vitro cell-line study (C2C12 myoblasts); generalizability to humans not established
  • Exposure frequency, exact intensity, and exposure duration not specified in the provided abstract
  • Sample size not reported in the provided abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "solenoid",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "C2C12 myoblasts (mouse myoblast cell line)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell viability",
    "cell proliferation rate",
    "growth rate",
    "differentiation rate / myogenic process",
    "MyoD expression",
    "myogenin expression",
    "connexin 43 expression",
    "gap junction function (cell permeability; dye-transfer)",
    "cell fusion / myotube differentiation (suggested)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "C2C12 myoblast exposure to ELF-EMFs did not affect viability or proliferation. At ELF-EMF intensity in the mT range, the myogenic process was accelerated with increased expression of MyoD, myogenin, and connexin 43, alongside increased gap-junction function (dye-transfer), suggesting promotion of cell fusion and myotube differentiation.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study (C2C12 myoblasts); generalizability to humans not established",
    "Exposure frequency, exact intensity, and exposure duration not specified in the provided abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "C2C12",
    "myoblasts",
    "myogenesis",
    "differentiation",
    "MyoD",
    "myogenin",
    "connexin 43",
    "gap junctions",
    "solenoid",
    "mT range"
  ],
  "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: 10.1155/2017/2460215
PubMed: Not supplied

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