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[Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the level of c-fos mRNA in brain and liver of mouse].

Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2003 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 3730

Mice exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (0.2 mT or 6.0 mT) for 2 or 4 weeks had higher c-fos mRNA levels in brain and liver compared with controls (reported as statistically significant, P<0.05). After 4 weeks, liver tissue showed higher expression w…

Study snapshot

PublicationZhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2003
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) on c-fos gene expression in mouse brain and liver tissues. METHODS: Mice were exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal 0.2 mT or 6.0 mT electromagnetic field for 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Competitive RT-PCR method was used to measure c-fos mRNA level. RESULTS: After exposure to 0.2 mT or 6.0 mT field for 2 weeks, c-fos mRNA levels in brain tissue [(0.0178 +/- 0.0076) amol/120 ng cDNA and (0.0092 +/- 0.0042) amol/120 ng cDNA respectively] were higher than that of control level [(0.0012 +/- 0.0005) amol/120 ng cDNA] (P < 0.05). In liver tissue c-fos mRNA levels [(0.0117 +/- 0.0055) amol/120 ng cDNA and (0.0148 +/- 0.0162) amol/120 ng cDNA respectively] were also higher than that of control level [(0.0005 +/- 0.0005) amol/120 ng cDNA] (P < 0.05). After exposure to 0.2 mT or 6.0 mT field for 4 weeks, c-fos mRNA levels in brain tissue [(0.0100 +/- 0.0054) amol/120 ng cDNA and (0.0198 +/- 0.0079) amol/120 ng cDNA respectively] were higher than that of control level [(0.0015 +/- 0.0008) amol/120 ng cDNA] (P < 0.05). In liver tissue the exposure induced much higher expression level [(0.0173 +/- 0.0122) amol/120 ng cDNA and (0.0133 +/- 0.0090) amol/120 ng cDNA respectively] while no expression was found in the control. CONCLUSION: Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields may induce up-regulation of c-fos transcription in mouse brain and liver tissue.

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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 typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationMice
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 2 weeks or 4 weeks
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mice exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (0.2 mT or 6.0 mT) for 2 or 4 weeks had higher c-fos mRNA levels in brain and liver compared with controls (reported as statistically significant, P<0.05). After 4 weeks, liver tissue showed higher expression while no expression was found in controls.

Outcomes measured

  • c-fos mRNA level (gene expression) in brain tissue
  • c-fos mRNA level (gene expression) in liver tissue

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Exposure source/context (e.g., occupational/environmental setup) not described
  • Only one biomarker (c-fos mRNA) assessed; clinical/functional outcomes not reported
  • Details on randomization/blinding and animal handling not provided
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 weeks or 4 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "c-fos mRNA level (gene expression) in brain tissue",
    "c-fos mRNA level (gene expression) in liver tissue"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mice exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (0.2 mT or 6.0 mT) for 2 or 4 weeks had higher c-fos mRNA levels in brain and liver compared with controls (reported as statistically significant, P<0.05). After 4 weeks, liver tissue showed higher expression while no expression was found in controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure source/context (e.g., occupational/environmental setup) not described",
    "Only one biomarker (c-fos mRNA) assessed; clinical/functional outcomes not reported",
    "Details on randomization/blinding and animal handling not provided"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "mouse",
    "c-fos",
    "mRNA",
    "RT-PCR",
    "brain",
    "liver",
    "gene expression"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Published in an industrial hygiene/occupational diseases journal and uses 50 Hz ELF exposure relevant to occupational settings."
    }
  ]
}
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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 14761393

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