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Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) induce in vitro angiogenesis process in human endothelial cells.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2008 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5010

HUVEC cultures exposed to a sinusoidal 1 mT, 50 Hz EMF for up to 12 h showed increased endothelial cell proliferation and tubule formation and accelerated wound healing. EMF exposure was associated with major reorganization of cytoskeletal fibres and focal ad…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2008
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on activation of angiogenesis were analysed using cultured umbilical human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cultures were exposed to a sinusoidal EMF to intensity of 1 mT, 50 Hz for up to 12 h. EMFs increased the degree of endothelial cell proliferation and tubule formation, coupled by an acceleration in the process of wound healing. Since this process is physiologically accompanied by a large modification in the structural organization of actin and focal adhesions, we analyzed the rearrangement of some cytoskeleton elements demonstrating a major reorganization of the fibres and of the focal adhesion complexes after EMF exposure. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in phosphorylation as well as the overall expression of VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1) suggesting that EMFs may modulate in vitro some endothelial functions correlated to angiogenesis through signal transduction pathways dependent on VEGF.

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 directionbenefit
PopulationCultured umbilical human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · up to 12 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

HUVEC cultures exposed to a sinusoidal 1 mT, 50 Hz EMF for up to 12 h showed increased endothelial cell proliferation and tubule formation and accelerated wound healing. EMF exposure was associated with major reorganization of cytoskeletal fibres and focal adhesion complexes, and increased phosphorylation and overall expression of VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1).

Outcomes measured

  • Endothelial cell proliferation
  • Tubule formation
  • Wound healing (scratch)
  • Cytoskeleton organization (actin)
  • Focal adhesion complexes
  • VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1) phosphorylation
  • VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1) expression

Limitations

  • In vitro cell culture model; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes
  • Exposure duration limited to up to 12 h
  • 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": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "up to 12 h"
  },
  "population": "Cultured umbilical human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Endothelial cell proliferation",
    "Tubule formation",
    "Wound healing (scratch)",
    "Cytoskeleton organization (actin)",
    "Focal adhesion complexes",
    "VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1) phosphorylation",
    "VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1) expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "HUVEC cultures exposed to a sinusoidal 1 mT, 50 Hz EMF for up to 12 h showed increased endothelial cell proliferation and tubule formation and accelerated wound healing. EMF exposure was associated with major reorganization of cytoskeletal fibres and focal adhesion complexes, and increased phosphorylation and overall expression of VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk-1).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture model; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes",
    "Exposure duration limited to up to 12 h",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "50 Hz",
    "1 mT",
    "HUVEC",
    "endothelial cells",
    "angiogenesis",
    "tubulogenesis",
    "wound healing",
    "actin cytoskeleton",
    "focal adhesions",
    "VEGFR2",
    "KDR/Flk-1",
    "phosphorylation"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.20430
PubMed: 18512694

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