Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on the levels of some inflammatory cytokines in post-stroke patients.

Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2019 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 5569

After ELF-EMF treatment, IL-1β plasma level and IL-1β mRNA expression increased, and IL-2 plasma level increased; IFN-γ and TGF-β levels did not change.

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of rehabilitation medicine · 2019

Study typeunknown

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Activation of immunologically competent cells results in the overproduction of pro-inflammatory factors, and causes progression of nerve tissue damage. However, the potential neuroprotective effects of these factors in brain damage have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) treatment on the molecular mechanism of inflammatory cytokine activity in post-stroke patients. METHODS: All patients underwent the same rehabilitation program, but the ELF-EMF group were also given ELF-EMF treatment. Both groups have been used in our previous studies. In order to determine the plasma level of cytokines, the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (INF-γ) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were evaluated, and the level of IL-1β mRNA expression was determined. RESULTS: After ELF-EMF treatment, both IL-1β plasma level and IL-1β mRNA expression level, as well as IL-2 plasma level increased, while IFN-γ and TGF-β levels did not change. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of IL-1β found in this study may be a response to ELF-EMF stimulation. It is hypothesized that a neuroprotective role of this cytokine may occur due to IL-1β-dependent regulation of neurotrophic factors. Further research is needed to explore this hypothesis.

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 typeunknown

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPost-stroke patients

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After ELF-EMF treatment, IL-1β plasma level and IL-1β mRNA expression increased, and IL-2 plasma level increased; IFN-γ and TGF-β levels did not change.

Outcomes measured

Plasma IL-1β level
IL-1β mRNA expression level
Plasma IL-2 level
Plasma IFN-γ level
Plasma TGF-β level

Limitations

Study design and randomization/blinding not described in the abstract
Sample size not reported
ELF-EMF exposure parameters (frequency, intensity, duration) not reported
Both groups were used in previous studies (details not provided here)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "unknown",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "therapeutic/rehabilitation treatment",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Post-stroke patients",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plasma IL-1β level",
    "IL-1β mRNA expression level",
    "Plasma IL-2 level",
    "Plasma IFN-γ level",
    "Plasma TGF-β level"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After ELF-EMF treatment, IL-1β plasma level and IL-1β mRNA expression increased, and IL-2 plasma level increased; IFN-γ and TGF-β levels did not change.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Study design and randomization/blinding not described in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported",
    "ELF-EMF exposure parameters (frequency, intensity, duration) not reported",
    "Both groups were used in previous studies (details not provided here)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "stroke",
    "post-stroke",
    "rehabilitation",
    "cytokines",
    "inflammation",
    "IL-1β",
    "IL-2",
    "IFN-γ",
    "TGF-β",
    "mRNA expression"
  ],
  "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: 10.2340/16501977-2623
PubMed: 31690951

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