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The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the physiologic behaviour of a human astrocytoma cell line.

Biochimica et biophysica acta · 2000 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5331

Exposure to 50 Hz pulsed EMFs (peak magnetic field 3 mT) for 24 h significantly increased basal intracellular Ca2+ from 124±51 nM to 200±79 nM. With substance P pretreatment, [Ca2+]i increased to 555±278 nM, while EMF exposure significantly reduced it to 327±…

Study snapshot

PublicationBiochimica et biophysica acta · 2000
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of 50 Hz pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a peak magnetic field of 3 mT on human astrocytoma cells. Our results clearly demonstrate that, after the cells were exposed to EMFs for 24 h, the basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels increased significantly from 124+/-51 nM to 200+/-79 nM. Pretreatment of the cells with 1.2 microM substance P increased the [Ca(2+)](i) to 555+/-278 nM, while EMF exposure caused a significant drop in [Ca(2+)](i) to 327+/-146 nM. The overall effect of EMFs probably depends on the prevailing Ca(2+) conditions of the cells. After exposure, the proliferative responses of both normal and substance P-pretreated cells increased slightly from 1.03 to 1.07 and 1.04 to 1.06, respectively. U-373 MG cells spontaneously released about 10 pg/ml of interleukin-6 which was significantly increased after the addition of substance P. Moreover, immediately after EMF exposure and 24 h thereafter, the interleukin-6 levels were more elevated (about 40%) than in controls. On the whole, our data suggest that, by changing the properties of cell membranes, EMFs can influence Ca(2+) transport processes and hence Ca(2+) homeostasis. The increased levels of interleukin-6 after 24 h of EMF exposure may confirm the complex connection between Ca(2+) levels, substance P and the cytokine network.

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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 astrocytoma cell line (U-373 MG)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 24 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 50 Hz pulsed EMFs (peak magnetic field 3 mT) for 24 h significantly increased basal intracellular Ca2+ from 124±51 nM to 200±79 nM. With substance P pretreatment, [Ca2+]i increased to 555±278 nM, while EMF exposure significantly reduced it to 327±146 nM; IL-6 levels were reported to be ~40% higher than controls immediately after exposure and 24 h later, and proliferative responses increased slightly.

Outcomes measured

  • Basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)
  • [Ca2+]i after substance P pretreatment
  • Cell proliferation (proliferative response)
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) release/levels

Limitations

  • In vitro study in a single human astrocytoma cell line; generalizability to humans is unclear
  • Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
  • Exposure characterization limited to frequency and peak magnetic field; other dosimetry details not reported
  • Multiple endpoints with context-dependent effects (e.g., differing Ca2+ responses with substance P)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h"
  },
  "population": "Human astrocytoma cell line (U-373 MG)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)",
    "[Ca2+]i after substance P pretreatment",
    "Cell proliferation (proliferative response)",
    "Interleukin-6 (IL-6) release/levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 50 Hz pulsed EMFs (peak magnetic field 3 mT) for 24 h significantly increased basal intracellular Ca2+ from 124±51 nM to 200±79 nM. With substance P pretreatment, [Ca2+]i increased to 555±278 nM, while EMF exposure significantly reduced it to 327±146 nM; IL-6 levels were reported to be ~40% higher than controls immediately after exposure and 24 h later, and proliferative responses increased slightly.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in a single human astrocytoma cell line; generalizability to humans is unclear",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Exposure characterization limited to frequency and peak magnetic field; other dosimetry details not reported",
    "Multiple endpoints with context-dependent effects (e.g., differing Ca2+ responses with substance P)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "3 mT",
    "astrocytoma",
    "U-373 MG",
    "calcium homeostasis",
    "intracellular calcium",
    "substance P",
    "interleukin-6",
    "cytokines",
    "cell proliferation"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/s0167-4889(00)00111-7
PubMed: 11118642

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