The Energy Metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans under The Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure.

Scientific reports · 2015 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4798

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2015

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

A literal mountain of documentation generated in the past five decades showing unmistakable health hazards associated with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) exposure. However, the relation between energy mechanism and ELF-EMF exposure is poorly understood. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans was exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at intensities of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mT, respectively. Their metabolite variations were analyzed by GC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics. Although minimal metabolic variations and no regular pattern were observed, the contents of energy metabolism-related metabolites such as pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, and L-malic acid were elevated in all the treatments. The expressions of nineteen related genes that encode glycolytic enzymes were analyzed by using quantitative real-time PCR. Only genes encoding GAPDH were significantly upregulated (P < 0.01), and this result was further confirmed by western blot analysis. The enzyme activity of GAPDH was increased (P < 0.01), whereas the total intracellular ATP level was decreased. While no significant difference in lifespan, hatching rate and reproduction, worms exposed to ELF-EMF exhibited less food consumption compared with that of the control (P < 0.01). In conclusion, C. elegans exposed to ELF-EMF have enhanced energy metabolism and restricted dietary, which might contribute to the resistance against exogenous ELF-EMF stress.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationCaenorhabditis elegans

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

C. elegans exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mT showed minimal overall metabolic variation without a regular pattern, but energy metabolism-related metabolites (pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, L-malic acid) were elevated across treatments. Among 19 glycolysis-related genes, only GAPDH was significantly upregulated and confirmed at the protein level; GAPDH activity increased while total intracellular ATP decreased. No significant differences were observed for lifespan, hatching rate, or reproduction, but exposed worms consumed less food than controls.

Outcomes measured

Metabolite variations (GC-TOF/MS metabolomics)
Energy metabolism-related metabolites (e.g., pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, L-malic acid)
Expression of glycolysis-related genes (qRT-PCR; 19 genes)
GAPDH protein expression (western blot)
GAPDH enzyme activity
Total intracellular ATP level
Lifespan
Hatching rate
Reproduction
Food consumption

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Only one organism model (C. elegans)
Mechanistic interpretation (e.g., resistance to stress) is suggested but not directly demonstrated in the reported results

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Caenorhabditis elegans",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Metabolite variations (GC-TOF/MS metabolomics)",
    "Energy metabolism-related metabolites (e.g., pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, L-malic acid)",
    "Expression of glycolysis-related genes (qRT-PCR; 19 genes)",
    "GAPDH protein expression (western blot)",
    "GAPDH enzyme activity",
    "Total intracellular ATP level",
    "Lifespan",
    "Hatching rate",
    "Reproduction",
    "Food consumption"
  ],
  "main_findings": "C. elegans exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mT showed minimal overall metabolic variation without a regular pattern, but energy metabolism-related metabolites (pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, L-malic acid) were elevated across treatments. Among 19 glycolysis-related genes, only GAPDH was significantly upregulated and confirmed at the protein level; GAPDH activity increased while total intracellular ATP decreased. No significant differences were observed for lifespan, hatching rate, or reproduction, but exposed worms consumed less food than controls.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only one organism model (C. elegans)",
    "Mechanistic interpretation (e.g., resistance to stress) is suggested but not directly demonstrated in the reported results"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "millitesla",
    "Caenorhabditis elegans",
    "metabolomics",
    "GC-TOF/MS",
    "glycolysis",
    "GAPDH",
    "ATP",
    "lifespan",
    "reproduction",
    "food consumption"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Animal study examining biological effects of 50 Hz extremely low-frequency EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1038/srep08471
PubMed: 25683579

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