Effects of a 50 Hz magnetic field on Dictyostelium discoideum (Protista).

Bioelectromagnetics · 2006 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 5132

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2006

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Some studies have demonstrated that a few biological systems are affected by weak, extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs), lower than 10 mT. However, to date there is scanty evidence of this effect on Protists in the literature. Due to their peculiarity as single-cell eukaryotic organisms, Protists respond directly to environmental stimuli, thus appearing as very suitable experimental systems. Recently, we showed the presence of propionylcholinesterase (PrChE) activity in single-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. This enzyme activity was assumed to be involved in cell-cell and cell-environment interactions, as its inhibition affects cell aggregation and differentiation. In this work, we have exposed single-cell amoebae of D. discoideum to an ELF-EMF of about 200 microT, 50 Hz, for 3 h or 24 h at 21 degrees C. A delay in the early phase of the differentiation was observed in 3 h exposed cells, and a significant decrease in the fission rate appeared in 24 h exposed cells. The PrChE activity was significantly lower in 3 h exposed cells than in the controls, whereas 24 h exposed cells exhibited an increase in this enzyme activity. However, such effects appeared to be transient, as the fission rate and PrChE activity values returned to the respective control values after a 24 h stay under standard conditions.

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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSingle-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum (Protista)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 3 h or 24 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Single-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum were exposed to an ELF-EMF (~200 microT, 50 Hz) for 3 h or 24 h. A delay in early differentiation was observed after 3 h exposure, and a significant decrease in fission rate was observed after 24 h exposure. PrChE activity decreased after 3 h exposure but increased after 24 h exposure; these effects were described as transient, returning to control values after 24 h under standard conditions.

Outcomes measured

Early phase of differentiation (timing/delay)
Fission rate
Propionylcholinesterase (PrChE) activity

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure characterization limited to frequency, approximate field strength, and duration (no additional dosimetry details in abstract)
Outcomes described as transient; longer-term effects not assessed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 h or 24 h"
  },
  "population": "Single-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum (Protista)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Early phase of differentiation (timing/delay)",
    "Fission rate",
    "Propionylcholinesterase (PrChE) activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Single-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum were exposed to an ELF-EMF (~200 microT, 50 Hz) for 3 h or 24 h. A delay in early differentiation was observed after 3 h exposure, and a significant decrease in fission rate was observed after 24 h exposure. PrChE activity decreased after 3 h exposure but increased after 24 h exposure; these effects were described as transient, returning to control values after 24 h under standard conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure characterization limited to frequency, approximate field strength, and duration (no additional dosimetry details in abstract)",
    "Outcomes described as transient; longer-term effects not assessed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "200 microT",
    "magnetic field",
    "Dictyostelium discoideum",
    "Protista",
    "amoebae",
    "differentiation",
    "fission rate",
    "propionylcholinesterase",
    "PrChE"
  ],
  "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/bem.20240
PubMed: 16715524

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library