Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) does not affect the expression of alpha3, alpha5 and alpha7 nicotinic receptor subunit genes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line.

Toxicology letters · 2006 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5137

In a blind trial system, exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field across various magnetic flux densities and exposure times did not change expression of alpha3, alpha5, or alpha7 nicotinic receptor subunit genes at the molecular level.

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology letters · 2006

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are involved in a number of functional processes, including cognition, learning and memory, and alterations in their expression and/or activity have been implicated in various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Given the role of nAChRs in physiological and pathological conditions, we wondered whether an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) may affect the expression of the molecules involved in neurodegenerative processes. In order to investigate this possibility, we studied the expression of alpha3, alpha5 and alpha7 nicotinic subunits upon exposure of the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field in a "blind trial" system; various magnetic flux densities and exposure times were applied. Our studies show that the expression of some relevant components of the cholinergic nicotinic system, which is one of the most affected neurotransmission systems in AD, did not undergo any change at molecular level by environmental exposure to ELF-EMF.

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 cell line

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · various exposure times

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Gene expression of alpha3 nicotinic receptor subunit
Gene expression of alpha5 nicotinic receptor subunit
Gene expression of alpha7 nicotinic receptor subunit
Molecular-level changes in components of the cholinergic nicotinic system

Limitations

In vitro cell-line model; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo neurodegenerative processes
Magnetic flux densities and exact exposure durations are not specified in the abstract
Sample size and statistical details are not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "power-line magnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "various exposure times"
  },
  "population": "SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gene expression of alpha3 nicotinic receptor subunit",
    "Gene expression of alpha5 nicotinic receptor subunit",
    "Gene expression of alpha7 nicotinic receptor subunit",
    "Molecular-level changes in components of the cholinergic nicotinic system"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a blind trial system, exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field across various magnetic flux densities and exposure times did not change expression of alpha3, alpha5, or alpha7 nicotinic receptor subunit genes at the molecular level.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line model; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo neurodegenerative processes",
    "Magnetic flux densities and exact exposure durations are not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size and statistical details are not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "power-line magnetic field",
    "SH-SY5Y",
    "neuroblastoma",
    "nicotinic acetylcholine receptor",
    "alpha3",
    "alpha5",
    "alpha7",
    "gene expression",
    "Alzheimer's disease"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Uses a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field exposure paradigm (ELF), which can relate to power-frequency exposure contexts, though the study is in vitro."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2006.01.006
PubMed: 16513298

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