Effect of Environmental Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure on Inflammatory Mediators and Serotonin Metabolism in a Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line.

CNS & neurological disorders drug targets · 2016 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 4822

Study snapshot

PublicationCNS & neurological disorders drug targets · 2016

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to environmental extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in everyday life is increasing and it is a matter of great debate whether exposure to ELF-EMF can be harmful to human health. The neuropathology and symptoms of neurodegenerative disease depends on factors other than genetic predispositions, such as environmental exposure to disease-related risk factors. Research focusing on a possible contribution of ELF-EMF to cell injury and to the development of neurodegenerative disorders is characterized by conflicting data from epidemiological and animal studies. Due to lack of a direct link between neurodegenerative processes and ELF-EMF exposure, our goal was to investigate if ELF-EMF exposure may represent a possible risk factor. In the present study, using neuronal-like SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, we show that the balance between generation and elimination of reactive oxygen species, as well as the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines linked to oxidative stress, was maintained ensuring that cells respond properly to ELF-EMF (50Hz /1mT). In SH-SY5Y-exposed cells we observed increased intracellular 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine ratio reflecting the rate of transmitter synthesis, catabolism and release, while matrix metalloproteinases that play critical roles in neuronal cell death were not significantly altered. The results presented here indicate that changes caused by short (1h-3h) and sub-chronic (48 h) exposure to 50Hz/1mT ELF-EMF in SH-SY5Y cells are minor in comparison to the neuronal cell damage expected to underlie neurodegeneration or cognitive impairment. Thus, these results are in accord with epidemiological studies that have provided little support for a link between ELF-EMFs and neurodegeneration.

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 directionno_effect

PopulationSH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma (neuronal-like) cell line

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · short (1h-3h) and sub-chronic (48 h)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In SH-SY5Y cells exposed to 50 Hz/1 mT ELF-EMF, the balance of reactive oxygen species generation/elimination and the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were maintained. The intracellular 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio increased, while matrix metalloproteinases were not significantly altered; overall changes from 1–3 h and 48 h exposures were described as minor compared with expected neuronal damage underlying neurodegeneration.

Outcomes measured

Reactive oxygen species (generation/elimination balance)
Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines linked to oxidative stress
Intracellular 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HIAA/5-HT) ratio
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)

Limitations

In vitro cell-line model; findings may not translate to human health outcomes
No sample size or replication details provided in the abstract
Exposure conditions limited to 50 Hz/1 mT and durations of 1–3 h and 48 h

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "environmental",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "short (1h-3h) and sub-chronic (48 h)"
  },
  "population": "SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma (neuronal-like) cell line",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reactive oxygen species (generation/elimination balance)",
    "Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines linked to oxidative stress",
    "Intracellular 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HIAA/5-HT) ratio",
    "Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In SH-SY5Y cells exposed to 50 Hz/1 mT ELF-EMF, the balance of reactive oxygen species generation/elimination and the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were maintained. The intracellular 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio increased, while matrix metalloproteinases were not significantly altered; overall changes from 1–3 h and 48 h exposures were described as minor compared with expected neuronal damage underlying neurodegeneration.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line model; findings may not translate to human health outcomes",
    "No sample size or replication details provided in the abstract",
    "Exposure conditions limited to 50 Hz/1 mT and durations of 1–3 h and 48 h"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "1 mT",
    "SH-SY5Y",
    "oxidative stress",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "cytokines",
    "serotonin metabolism",
    "5-HIAA/5-HT",
    "matrix metalloproteinases",
    "neurodegeneration"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.2174/1871527315666160920113407
PubMed: 27658515

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