Proteomic analysis in human fibroblasts by continuous exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS · 2007 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 3377

Human fibroblast cells exposed continuously to a 3 Hz sinusoidal ELF-EMF for 3 h at 4 mT showed differences in 2-DE protein profiles versus sham controls. Two identified proteins (alpha 1 antitrypsin and transthyretin) were reported to be reduced by about 50%…

Study snapshot

PublicationPakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS · 2007

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Most people are Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF). A number of studies have indicated association between exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and a variety of cancers. Recently some therapeutic techniques such as repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been used to study localization of brain function, connectively of brain regions and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders (rTMS utilize low frequency-electromagnetic field). Here, the effect of continuous ELF electromagnetic fields (3 Hz, sinusoidal, 3 h and 4 mT) on the protein expression of human fibroblast cells is investigated via proteomics. The comparison of the 2-DE separated proteins from the exposed and sham (control) cells showed that some protein expressions are affected by radiation. The two proteins that their expression are reduced about 50% are determined as alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) and Transthyretin (TTR). As it is reported that the amounts of these proteins reduced in the pathological conditions it can be concluded that application of ELF-EMF in therapeutic aspects may be to accompanying with their side effects.

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 directionharm

PopulationHuman fibroblast cells (in vitro)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.003 MHz · 3 h (continuous)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Protein expression changes (proteomics, 2-DE)
Alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) expression
Transthyretin (TTR) expression

Limitations

In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to humans or clinical outcomes
Sample size and replication not reported in the abstract
Only short-term exposure (3 h) assessed
Limited outcome scope (protein expression changes; no functional/health endpoints reported)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.003,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 h (continuous)"
  },
  "population": "Human fibroblast cells (in vitro)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Protein expression changes (proteomics, 2-DE)",
    "Alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) expression",
    "Transthyretin (TTR) expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human fibroblast cells exposed continuously to a 3 Hz sinusoidal ELF-EMF for 3 h at 4 mT showed differences in 2-DE protein profiles versus sham controls. Two identified proteins (alpha 1 antitrypsin and transthyretin) were reported to be reduced by about 50% after exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to humans or clinical outcomes",
    "Sample size and replication not reported in the abstract",
    "Only short-term exposure (3 h) assessed",
    "Limited outcome scope (protein expression changes; no functional/health endpoints reported)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "3 Hz",
    "4 mT",
    "human fibroblasts",
    "proteomics",
    "2-DE",
    "alpha 1 antitrypsin",
    "transthyretin"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Addresses biological effects of ELF-EMF exposure, relevant to general EMF health-evidence discussions."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.3923/pjbs.2007.4108.4112
PubMed: 19090288

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library