Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and heat shock can increase microvesicle motility in astrocytes.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2001 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 5328

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2001

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on microvesicles was examined in rat astrocytes by video-enhanced microscopy in combination with a perfusable cell chamber. The EMF effect was compared with the effect of heat shock (HS) and with a combination of them both. The velocity of microvesicles was measured using image processing software (NIH Scion image 1.61). After exposure of astrocytes to EMF (50 Hz, 100microT, 1 h), the velocity of microvesicles in astrocytes increased from 0.32 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 120, 95% CI) in the untreated control group to 0.41 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 175, 95% CI). Fifteen minutes after HS (45 degrees C, 10 min) the microvesicles showed a velocity of 0.56 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 125, 95% CI). Combination of HS and EMF led to an increase in velocity up to 0.54 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 110, 95% CI). No significant difference between HS and HS+EMF was found. Compared to the untreated control group, the increased microvesicle velocity of the exposed cells might be a stress response of the cell. It is possibly a sign of intensified intracellular traffic required to adjust the metabolic needs.

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

PopulationRat astrocytes

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 1 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After ELF-EMF exposure (50 Hz, 100 microT, 1 h), microvesicle velocity increased from 0.32 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=120) in untreated controls to 0.41 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=175). Heat shock (45°C, 10 min) increased velocity to 0.56 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=125), and heat shock plus EMF increased velocity to 0.54 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=110); no significant difference was found between heat shock alone and heat shock plus EMF.

Outcomes measured

Microvesicle velocity/motility in astrocytes

Limitations

In vitro study in rat astrocytes; generalizability to humans or in vivo conditions is unclear.
Exposure conditions limited to a single ELF frequency (50 Hz), field strength (100 microT), and duration (1 h).
Abstract does not report statistical testing details for the EMF-only comparison beyond descriptive statistics and confidence intervals.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 h"
  },
  "population": "Rat astrocytes",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Microvesicle velocity/motility in astrocytes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After ELF-EMF exposure (50 Hz, 100 microT, 1 h), microvesicle velocity increased from 0.32 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=120) in untreated controls to 0.41 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=175). Heat shock (45°C, 10 min) increased velocity to 0.56 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=125), and heat shock plus EMF increased velocity to 0.54 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=110); no significant difference was found between heat shock alone and heat shock plus EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in rat astrocytes; generalizability to humans or in vivo conditions is unclear.",
    "Exposure conditions limited to a single ELF frequency (50 Hz), field strength (100 microT), and duration (1 h).",
    "Abstract does not report statistical testing details for the EMF-only comparison beyond descriptive statistics and confidence intervals."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "100 microT",
    "astrocytes",
    "rat",
    "microvesicles",
    "motility",
    "velocity",
    "heat shock",
    "cell stress response",
    "video-enhanced microscopy"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/1521-186x(200102)22:2<71::aid-bem1008>3.0.co;2-i
PubMed: 11180251

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library