RF Safe

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields affect the immune response of monocyte-derived macrophages to pathogens.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2010 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream
MixedLow evidencePaper 4357

Exposure to 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF-EMF increased nitric oxide and cGMP levels, elevated hsp70 levels, slightly decreased iNOS levels, suppressed caspase-9 activation slightly, and reduced the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The immune response markers…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2010
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the physiological response of phagocytes to an infectious agent. THP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line) were cultured and 50 Hz, 1 mT EMF was applied for 4-6 h to cells induced with Staphylococcus aureus or interferon gamma/lipopolysaccharide (IFγ/LPS). Alterations in nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, heat shock protein 70 levels (hsp70), cGMP levels, caspase-9 activation, and the growth rate of S. aureus were determined. The growth curve of exposed bacteria was lower than the control. Field application increased NO levels. The increase was more prominent for S. aureus-induced cells and appeared earlier than the increase in cells without field application. However, a slight decrease was observed in iNOS levels. Increased cGMP levels in response to field application were closely correlated with increased NO levels. ELF-EMF alone caused increased hsp70 levels in a time-dependent manner. When cells were induced with S. aureus or IFγ/LPS, field application produced higher levels of hsp70. ELF-EMF suppressed caspase-9 activation by a small extent. These data confirm that ELF-EMF affects bacterial growth and the response of the immune system to bacterial challenges, suggesting that ELF-EMF could be exploited for beneficial uses.

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 directionmixed
PopulationTHP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 4-6 hours
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 40% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF-EMF increased nitric oxide and cGMP levels, elevated hsp70 levels, slightly decreased iNOS levels, suppressed caspase-9 activation slightly, and reduced the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The immune response markers showed modulation upon ELF-EMF exposure in cells challenged with pathogens.

Outcomes measured

  • nitric oxide (NO) levels
  • inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels
  • heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) levels
  • cGMP levels
  • caspase-9 activation
  • growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus

Limitations

  • Study conducted in vitro using a monocytic leukemia cell line, limiting direct applicability to human health.
  • Exposure parameters limited to 50 Hz, 1 mT for 4-6 hours; effects of other exposure conditions unknown.
  • No in vivo or clinical data to confirm physiological relevance.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4-6 hours"
  },
  "population": "THP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "nitric oxide (NO) levels",
    "inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels",
    "heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) levels",
    "cGMP levels",
    "caspase-9 activation",
    "growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF-EMF increased nitric oxide and cGMP levels, elevated hsp70 levels, slightly decreased iNOS levels, suppressed caspase-9 activation slightly, and reduced the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The immune response markers showed modulation upon ELF-EMF exposure in cells challenged with pathogens.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Study conducted in vitro using a monocytic leukemia cell line, limiting direct applicability to human health.",
    "Exposure parameters limited to 50 Hz, 1 mT for 4-6 hours; effects of other exposure conditions unknown.",
    "No in vivo or clinical data to confirm physiological relevance."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.4,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "immune response",
    "macrophages",
    "nitric oxide",
    "Staphylococcus aureus",
    "heat shock protein 70",
    "caspase-9",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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: 10.1002/bem.20607
PubMed: 20809504

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library