Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation alters the transcription levels of the genes encoding the SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide and their receptors in Ixodes ricinus synganglion.

Parasitology research · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5837

Study snapshot

PublicationParasitology research · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The research of the influences of man-made electromagnetic fields on tick physiology has been very sparse and long neglected since the pioneer studies published in 1996 and 2000. Once multiple behavioral tests confirmed an attraction and possible perception of electromagnetic fields in ticks, a new interest in this topic erupted in recent years. In this study, qRT-PCR is utilized to determine the changes in the mRNA transcript levels of neuropeptides SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide (mip and sifa) and their representative receptors (mip-r1 and sifa-r1) in the synganglia of the tick Ixodes ricinus irradiated by 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field. It was determined that 40 V/m intensity has a significant suppressory effect on the transcript levels of all genes after at least 60 minutes of constant exposure in both sexes. Commonly occurring intensity of radiation in urban areas (2 V/m) produced an elevation in mRNA levels after various timespans in every gene. A significant decrease of transcript abundances was detected in females after one hour of exposure to 2 V/m. Results of this study widen the knowledge of EMF-induced alterations in the neurophysiology of I. ricinus, the most commonly distributed hard tick in Europe.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationIxodes ricinus ticks (both sexes); synganglion tissue

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · constant exposure for at least 60 minutes; various timespans also assessed

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In Ixodes ricinus synganglia exposed to a 900 MHz RF-EMF, 40 V/m significantly suppressed transcript levels of sifa, mip, and their receptors after at least 60 minutes of constant exposure in both sexes. At 2 V/m (described as common in urban areas), mRNA levels were elevated after various exposure times for every gene, but females showed a significant decrease after 1 hour at 2 V/m.

Outcomes measured

mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of SIFamide (sifa)
mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of myoinhibitory peptide (mip)
mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of SIFamide receptor (sifa-r1)
mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of myoinhibitory peptide receptor (mip-r1)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metrics limited to field intensity (V/m); SAR not reported
Timing details for the 'various timespans' at 2 V/m not fully specified in abstract
Findings are limited to gene transcription in tick synganglion; broader physiological/health outcomes not assessed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "constant exposure for at least 60 minutes; various timespans also assessed"
  },
  "population": "Ixodes ricinus ticks (both sexes); synganglion tissue",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of SIFamide (sifa)",
    "mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of myoinhibitory peptide (mip)",
    "mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of SIFamide receptor (sifa-r1)",
    "mRNA transcript levels (qRT-PCR) of myoinhibitory peptide receptor (mip-r1)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In Ixodes ricinus synganglia exposed to a 900 MHz RF-EMF, 40 V/m significantly suppressed transcript levels of sifa, mip, and their receptors after at least 60 minutes of constant exposure in both sexes. At 2 V/m (described as common in urban areas), mRNA levels were elevated after various exposure times for every gene, but females showed a significant decrease after 1 hour at 2 V/m.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metrics limited to field intensity (V/m); SAR not reported",
    "Timing details for the 'various timespans' at 2 V/m not fully specified in abstract",
    "Findings are limited to gene transcription in tick synganglion; broader physiological/health outcomes not assessed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
    "900 MHz",
    "Ixodes ricinus",
    "tick",
    "synganglion",
    "qRT-PCR",
    "gene expression",
    "SIFamide",
    "myoinhibitory peptide",
    "neuropeptide receptors",
    "V/m intensity"
  ],
  "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: 10.1007/s00436-024-08326-7
PubMed: 39167261

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