Stimulation of protein kinase A activity and induced terminal differentiation of human skin fibroblasts in culture by low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

Toxicology letters · 1998 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5379

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology letters · 1998

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In the present study experiments are described, which indicate that the exposure of normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) to a low-frequency electromagnetic field of 20 Hz and 7-8 mT does induce terminal differentiation within 14 days of daily exposure of 12 h. As demonstrated by the analysis of the expression level of the proto-oncogene c-myc, the induction of terminal differentiation of progenitor fibroblasts to postmitotic fibrocytes does most likely not involve changes in the c-myc protein. As one possible candidate being involved in the ELF-EMF-mediated inhibition of fibroblast growth and the subsequent induction of terminal differentiation the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) could be characterised. Thus, the data presented clearly indicate that the specific EMF field of 20 Hz and 7-8 mT significantly interfere with regulatory processes of fibroblast proliferation and differentiation.

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

PopulationNormal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) in culture

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2e-05 MHz · 14 days; daily exposure 12 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure of normal human skin fibroblasts to a 20 Hz, 7–8 mT electromagnetic field induced terminal differentiation within 14 days with 12 h/day exposure. The induction of terminal differentiation was reported to most likely not involve changes in c-myc protein, and PKA was characterized as a possible candidate involved in ELF-EMF-mediated growth inhibition and subsequent differentiation.

Outcomes measured

Terminal differentiation of human skin fibroblasts
Fibroblast proliferation/growth inhibition
Protein kinase A (PKA) activity (cyclic AMP-dependent)
c-myc proto-oncogene expression level / c-myc protein involvement

Limitations

In vitro cell culture study; findings may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes
Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
Mechanistic conclusions (e.g., PKA involvement) described as a possible candidate rather than definitively established

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "14 days; daily exposure 12 h"
  },
  "population": "Normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) in culture",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Terminal differentiation of human skin fibroblasts",
    "Fibroblast proliferation/growth inhibition",
    "Protein kinase A (PKA) activity (cyclic AMP-dependent)",
    "c-myc proto-oncogene expression level / c-myc protein involvement"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure of normal human skin fibroblasts to a 20 Hz, 7–8 mT electromagnetic field induced terminal differentiation within 14 days with 12 h/day exposure. The induction of terminal differentiation was reported to most likely not involve changes in c-myc protein, and PKA was characterized as a possible candidate involved in ELF-EMF-mediated growth inhibition and subsequent differentiation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture study; findings may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Mechanistic conclusions (e.g., PKA involvement) described as a possible candidate rather than definitively established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "20 Hz",
    "7-8 mT",
    "human skin fibroblasts",
    "terminal differentiation",
    "proliferation",
    "protein kinase A",
    "PKA",
    "c-myc"
  ],
  "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/s0378-4274(98)00095-2
PubMed: 9820690

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