The Extremely-Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Affects Apoptosis and Oxidative-Stress-Related Genes and Proteins in the Porcine Endometrium-An In Vitro Study.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5848

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2024

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Nowadays, the extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is recognized as environmental pollution. The data indicate that the ELF-EMF may affect factors related to epigenetic regulation and alter important biological processes in the uterus. The impact of the ELF-EMF on apoptosis and oxidative-stress-related genes has not been documented in porcine endometrium. This raises the question of whether the exposure to the ELF-EMF can induce apoptosis and/or oxidative stress in the endometrium of pigs during the peri-implantation period. Porcine endometrial slices (100 ± 5 mg) collected ( = 5) during the peri-implantation period were treated in vitro with ELF-EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz and flux density of 8 × 10 mG for 2 h. To determine the effect of ELF-EMF on apoptosis and oxidative stress in the endometrium, , , , , , , , and mRNA transcript were analyzed using real-time PCR, and protein abundance of CASP3, CASP7 using Western blot, and eNOS using ELISA were determined. Moreover, CASP3/7 and NOS activity was analyzed using flow cytometry and colorimetry, respectively. The decreased CASP7 and increased NOS3 mRNA transcript and protein abundance in ELF-EMF-treated endometrium were observed. Moreover, , , and mRNA transcript abundance was increased. Only ≤ 0.05 was considered a statistically significant difference. The documented alterations indicate the potential of the ELF-EMF to affect apoptosis and generate oxidative stress in the endometrium. The insight into observed consequences documents for the first time the fact that the ELF-EMF may influence endometrial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and/or tissue receptivity during peri-implantation.

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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

PopulationPorcine endometrial slices collected during the peri-implantation period

Sample size5

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 2 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Porcine endometrial slices exposed in vitro to ELF-EMF (50 Hz; flux density 8 × 10 mG) for 2 h showed decreased CASP7 and increased NOS3 (eNOS) mRNA transcript and protein abundance compared with controls. The authors also report increased mRNA transcript abundance of several additional apoptosis/oxidative-stress-related targets and conclude the alterations indicate potential effects on apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Outcomes measured

mRNA transcript abundance of apoptosis- and oxidative-stress-related genes (real-time PCR)
Protein abundance of CASP3 and CASP7 (Western blot)
Protein abundance of eNOS/NOS3 (ELISA)
CASP3/7 activity (flow cytometry)
NOS activity (colorimetry)

Limitations

In vitro study using tissue slices; findings may not generalize to in vivo exposure
Small sample size (n=5)
Exposure source/context not described beyond frequency and flux density
Abstract does not report effect sizes or full statistical results for all measured endpoints

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": "Porcine endometrial slices collected during the peri-implantation period",
  "sample_size": 5,
  "outcomes": [
    "mRNA transcript abundance of apoptosis- and oxidative-stress-related genes (real-time PCR)",
    "Protein abundance of CASP3 and CASP7 (Western blot)",
    "Protein abundance of eNOS/NOS3 (ELISA)",
    "CASP3/7 activity (flow cytometry)",
    "NOS activity (colorimetry)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Porcine endometrial slices exposed in vitro to ELF-EMF (50 Hz; flux density 8 × 10 mG) for 2 h showed decreased CASP7 and increased NOS3 (eNOS) mRNA transcript and protein abundance compared with controls. The authors also report increased mRNA transcript abundance of several additional apoptosis/oxidative-stress-related targets and conclude the alterations indicate potential effects on apoptosis and oxidative stress.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study using tissue slices; findings may not generalize to in vivo exposure",
    "Small sample size (n=5)",
    "Exposure source/context not described beyond frequency and flux density",
    "Abstract does not report effect sizes or full statistical results for all measured endpoints"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely-low-frequency",
    "50 Hz",
    "porcine endometrium",
    "peri-implantation",
    "apoptosis",
    "oxidative stress",
    "CASP7",
    "NOS3",
    "eNOS"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "In vitro exposure to extremely-low-frequency EMF at 50 Hz with reported molecular changes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/ijms25136931
PubMed: 39000040

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