Effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on antioxidant activity in the human keratinocyte cell line NCTC 2544.

Biotechnology and applied biochemistry · 2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 4869

Study snapshot

PublicationBiotechnology and applied biochemistry · 2017

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Some epidemiological studies have suggested possible associations between exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) and various diseases. Recently, ELF-EMF has been considered as a therapeutic agent. To support ELF-EMF use in regenerative medicine, in particular in the treatment of skin injuries, we investigated whether significant cell damage occurs after ELF-EMF exposure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated in the human keratinocyte exposed for 1 H to 50 Hz ELF-EMF in a range of field strengths from 0.25 to 2 G. Significant ROS increases resulted at 0.5 and 1 G and under these flux densities ROS production, glutathione content, antioxidant defense activity, and lipid peroxidation markers were assessed for different lengths of time. Analyzed parameters of antioxidant defense and membrane integrity showed a different trend at two selected magnetic fluxes, with a greater sensitivity of the cells exposed to 0.5 G, especially after 1 H. All significant alterations observed in the first 4 H of exposure reverted to controls 24 H after suggesting that under these conditions, ELF-EMF induces a slight oxidative stress that does not overwhelm the metabolic capacity of the cells or have a cytotoxic effect.

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 keratinocyte cell line NCTC 2544

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · 1 h (with assessments over first 4 h and at 24 h)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human keratinocytes exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF (0.25–2 G) showed significant ROS increases at 0.5 and 1 G. Antioxidant defense and membrane integrity parameters differed between 0.5 G and 1 G, with greater sensitivity at 0.5 G (especially after 1 h), and significant alterations observed within the first 4 h reverted to control levels by 24 h; the authors conclude this represents slight oxidative stress without cytotoxic effect under these conditions.

Outcomes measured

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
Glutathione content
Antioxidant defense activity
Lipid peroxidation markers
Membrane integrity
Cytotoxic effect/cell damage

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo skin
Exposure duration and conditions limited to those tested (50 Hz; 0.25–2 G; short-term time course)
Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 h (with assessments over first 4 h and at 24 h)"
  },
  "population": "Human keratinocyte cell line NCTC 2544",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production",
    "Glutathione content",
    "Antioxidant defense activity",
    "Lipid peroxidation markers",
    "Membrane integrity",
    "Cytotoxic effect/cell damage"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human keratinocytes exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF (0.25–2 G) showed significant ROS increases at 0.5 and 1 G. Antioxidant defense and membrane integrity parameters differed between 0.5 G and 1 G, with greater sensitivity at 0.5 G (especially after 1 h), and significant alterations observed within the first 4 h reverted to control levels by 24 h; the authors conclude this represents slight oxidative stress without cytotoxic effect under these conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo skin",
    "Exposure duration and conditions limited to those tested (50 Hz; 0.25–2 G; short-term time course)",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "keratinocytes",
    "NCTC 2544",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "oxidative stress",
    "glutathione",
    "antioxidant defense",
    "lipid peroxidation"
  ],
  "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/bab.1495
PubMed: 27001710

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library