Non-thermal radio frequency and static magnetic fields increase rate of hemoglobin deoxygenation in a cell-free preparation.

PloS one · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 4615

In a cell-free assay of human hemoglobin deoxygenation initiated with dithiothreitol (DTT), exposure for 10–30 minutes to either a pulse-modulated radiofrequency (PRF) signal or a static magnetic field (SMF) increased the rate of Hb deoxygenation. The increas…

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2013

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The growing body of clinical and experimental data regarding electromagnetic field (EMF) bioeffects and their therapeutic applications has contributed to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action. This study reports that two EMF modalities currently in clinical use, a pulse-modulated radiofrequency (PRF) signal, and a static magnetic field (SMF), applied independently, increased the rate of deoxygenation of human hemoglobin (Hb) in a cell-free assay. Deoxygenation of Hb was initiated using the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) in an assay that allowed the time for deoxygenation to be controlled (from several min to several hours) by adjusting the relative concentrations of DTT and Hb. The time course of Hb deoxygenation was observed using visible light spectroscopy. Exposure for 10-30 min to either PRF or SMF increased the rate of deoxygenation occurring several min to several hours after the end of EMF exposure. The sensitivity and biochemical simplicity of the assay developed here suggest a new research tool that may help to further the understanding of basic biophysical EMF transduction mechanisms. If the results of this study were to be shown to occur at the cellular and tissue level, EMF-enhanced oxygen availability would be one of the mechanisms by which clinically relevant EMF-mediated enhancement of growth and repair processes could occur.

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

PopulationHuman hemoglobin (cell-free preparation)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 10–30 min

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Rate of hemoglobin (Hb) deoxygenation (time course measured by visible light spectroscopy)

Limitations

Cell-free in vitro assay; findings may not generalize to cellular or tissue levels
No RF frequency, field strength, or dosimetry (e.g., SAR) reported in the abstract
Sample size and statistical details not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "pulse-modulated radiofrequency (PRF) signal; static magnetic field (SMF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "10–30 min"
  },
  "population": "Human hemoglobin (cell-free preparation)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Rate of hemoglobin (Hb) deoxygenation (time course measured by visible light spectroscopy)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a cell-free assay of human hemoglobin deoxygenation initiated with dithiothreitol (DTT), exposure for 10–30 minutes to either a pulse-modulated radiofrequency (PRF) signal or a static magnetic field (SMF) increased the rate of Hb deoxygenation. The increased deoxygenation rate was observed minutes to hours after the end of EMF exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cell-free in vitro assay; findings may not generalize to cellular or tissue levels",
    "No RF frequency, field strength, or dosimetry (e.g., SAR) reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and statistical details not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "pulse-modulated RF",
    "static magnetic field",
    "hemoglobin",
    "deoxygenation",
    "cell-free assay",
    "visible light spectroscopy",
    "dithiothreitol"
  ],
  "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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061752
PubMed: 23593496

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library