Electromagnetic Fields Ameliorate Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis by Modulating Redox Homeostasis and SREBP-1c Expression in db/db Mice.

Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy · 2021 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5702

After 8 weeks, EMF exposure in db/db mice was associated with improved insulin resistance and reduced hepatic oxidative stress (lower MDA and GSSG, higher reduced GSH, increased GSH-Px). EMF exposure was also associated with reduced liver weight and triglycer…

Study snapshot

PublicationDiabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has recently become known as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), has risen. However, pharmacotherapies for this disease have not been approved. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have excellent bioeffects on multiple diseases. However, the effects of EMFs on NAFLD are unknown. This study investigated the bioeffects of EMF exposure on insulin resistance, liver redox homeostasis and hepatic steatosis in db/db mice. METHODS: Animals were sacrificed after EMF exposure for 8 weeks. The fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in the serum were tested. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated by a formula. The levels of MDA, GSSG and GSH, biomarkers of redox, were assessed. The activities of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px were assessed. The body and liver weights were measured. Hepatic lipid accumulation was observed by Oil Red O staining. Hepatic CAT, GR, GSH-Px, SOD1, SOD2 and SREBP-1 expression was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: EMF exposure ameliorated insulin resistance and oxidative stress in the liver by downregulating the MDA and GSSG levels, increasing the reduced GSH levels, and promoting the GSH-Px levels in db/db mice. In addition, liver weight and triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced by EMF exposure. Simultaneously, EMF exposure improved hepatic steatosis by downregulating the protein expression of SREBP-1c. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that EMF exposure has positive effects in the treatment of NAFLD.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

Populationdb/db mice (animal model)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure8 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Insulin resistance (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR)
Liver redox/oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, GSSG, GSH)
Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GSH-Px)
Body weight and liver weight
Hepatic lipid accumulation/steatosis (Oil Red O staining)
Liver triglyceride (TG) levels
Protein expression in liver (CAT, GR, GSH-Px, SOD1, SOD2, SREBP-1/SREBP-1c)

Limitations

EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity/SAR, source) not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "8 weeks"
  },
  "population": "db/db mice (animal model)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Insulin resistance (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR)",
    "Liver redox/oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, GSSG, GSH)",
    "Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GSH-Px)",
    "Body weight and liver weight",
    "Hepatic lipid accumulation/steatosis (Oil Red O staining)",
    "Liver triglyceride (TG) levels",
    "Protein expression in liver (CAT, GR, GSH-Px, SOD1, SOD2, SREBP-1/SREBP-1c)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 8 weeks, EMF exposure in db/db mice was associated with improved insulin resistance and reduced hepatic oxidative stress (lower MDA and GSSG, higher reduced GSH, increased GSH-Px). EMF exposure was also associated with reduced liver weight and triglyceride levels and improved hepatic steatosis, with downregulated SREBP-1c protein expression.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity/SAR, source) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF exposure",
    "NAFLD",
    "MAFLD",
    "hepatic steatosis",
    "insulin resistance",
    "db/db mice",
    "oxidative stress",
    "redox homeostasis",
    "MDA",
    "GSH",
    "GSSG",
    "GSH-Px",
    "SOD",
    "CAT",
    "SREBP-1c",
    "triglycerides"
  ],
  "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: 10.2147/dmso.s294020
PubMed: 33727836

Read the original paper →

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