Effects of long-term 50Hz power-line frequency electromagnetic field on cell behavior in Balb/c 3T3 cells

An Extremely Low-Frequency Vortex Magnetic Field Modifies Protein Expression, Rearranges the Cytoskeleton, and Induces Apoptosis of a Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Homogeneous extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) alter biological phenomena, including the cell phenotype and proliferation rate. Heterogenous vortex magnetic fields (VMFs), a new approach of exposure to magnetic fields, induce systematic movements on charged biomolecules from target cells; however, the effect of VMFs on living systems remains uncertain. Here, we designed, constructed, and characterized an ELF-VMF-modified Rodin's coil to expose SH-SY5Y cells. Samples were analyzed by performing 2D-differential-gel electrophoresis, identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF, validated by western blotting, and characterized by confocal microscopy. A total of 106 protein spots were differentially expressed; 40 spots were downregulated and 66 were upregulated in the exposed cell proteome, compared to the control cell proteome. The identified spots are associated with cytoskeleton and cell viability proteins, and according to the protein-protein interaction network, a significant interaction among them was found. Our data revealed a decrease in cell survival associated with apoptotic cells without effects on the cell cycle, as well as evident changes in the cytoskeleton. We demonstrated that ELF-VMFs, at a specific frequency and exposure time, alter the cell proteome and structurally affect the target cells. This is the first report showing that VMF application might be a versatile system for testing different hypotheses in living systems, using appropriate exposure parameters.© 2022 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

The Effect of 12 Hz Extremely Low-frequency Electromagnetic Field on Visual Memory of Male Macaque Monkeys

Introduction

Today, humans live in a world surrounded by electromagnetic fields. Numerous studies have been conducted to discover the biological, physiological, and behavioral effects of electromagnetic fields on humans and animals. Given the biological similarities between monkeys and humans, The present research aimed to examine Visual Memory (VM), hormonal, genomic, and anatomic changes, in the male rhesus macaques exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF).

Methods

Four male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were used. For the behavioral tests, the animals should be fasting for 17 hours. For the tests such as visual memory, the animal's cooperation was necessary. Using the radiation protocol, we exposed two monkeys to a 12-Hz electromagnetic field with a magnitude of 0.7 μT (electromagnetic radiation) four hours a day for a month. Before and after the exposure, a visual memory test was conducted using a coated device (visible reward) on a movable stand. Ten milliliters of blood was obtained from the femoral artery of each monkey, and half of it was used to examine cortisol serum levels using the MyBioSource kit (made in the USA). The other half of the blood was used to extract lymphocytes for assaying expressions of Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) genes before and after radiation using the PCR method. Anatomic studies of the amygdala were carried out based on pre- and post-radiation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Results

Research results indicated that visual memory in male primates increased significantly after exposure to the 12-Hz frequency. Hormonal analysis at the 12-Hz frequency showed a decrease in cortisol serum levels. However, visual memory and serum cortisol levels did not change considerably in male primates in the control group. There was no considerable amygdala volumetric difference after exposure to the 12-Hz frequency. The expression of the GR genes decreased in the 12-Hz group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

In short, these results indicated that ELF might benefit memory enhancement because exposure to the 12-HZ ELF can enhance visual memory. This outcome may be due to a decrease in plasma cortisol and or expression of GR genes. Moreover, direct amygdala involvement in this regard cannot be recommended.

Highlights

The effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) of 12 Hz on monkeys were studied.The results showed a reduction in the serum cortisol levels and the expression of GR genes.The amygdala anatomical area changes were not significant in the experimental group.In the experimental group, visual memory (delay of 30- and 60-s evaluation) improved after exposure to a frequency of 12 Hz.

Plain Language Summary

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields are among the most important factors affecting humans. This study aimed to determine the fields of 12-Hz frequency on the visual memory changes of male monkeys. The importance of research is due to the cognitive similarity of monkeys to humans. The findings of the research can be attributed to humans. Behavioral, hormonal, genetic, and anatomical studies indicated improvement in visual memory (test monkeys versus control monkeys). This study demonstrates the effect of the 12-Hz frequency on the monkey's visual memory. Researchers can study 12-Hz frequency in other cognitive indices.

Biological autoluminescence as a noninvasive monitoring tool for chemical and physical modulation of oxidation in yeast cell culture

Normal or excessive oxidative metabolism in organisms is essential in physiological and pathophysiological processes, respectively. Therefore, monitoring of biological oxidative processes induced by the chemical or physical stimuli is nowadays of extreme importance due to the environment overloaded with various physicochemical factors. Current techniques typically require the addition of chemical labels or light illumination, which perturb the samples to be analyzed. Moreover, the current techniques are very demanding in terms of sample preparation and equipment. To alleviate these limitations, we propose a label-free monitoring tool of oxidation based on biological autoluminescence (BAL). We demonstrate this tool on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell culture. We showed that BAL can be used to monitor chemical perturbation of yeast due to Fenton reagents initiated oxidation-the BAL intensity changes with hydrogen peroxide concentration in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we also showed that BAL reflects the effects of low-frequency magnetic field on the yeast cell culture, where we observed a disturbance of the BAL kinetics in the exposed vs. control case. Our results contribute to the development of novel techniques for label-free, real-time, noninvasive monitoring of oxidative processes and approaches for their modulation.

Development of a TEM-cell-integrated CO2 incubator for cell-based transient electromagnetic field bioeffect study

To facilitate the cell-based experiment for pulsed electromagnetic field biological effect study, a novel TEM-cell-integrated CO₂ incubator was developed. The integrated experimental system could simultaneously meet the requirement of standard cell culture condition and the various Transient Electromagnetic Field (TEF) exposure, which made it possible to study the relationship between different electromagnetic pulse exposure and the cellular responses in a reliable way. During the research, a comparison experiment was carried out to evaluate the necessity of the integrated incubator system: firstly, two different types of cell lines, which are the human prostate cancer cell line (PC3) and the pancreatic β cell line (MIN6) were chosen and exposed in the TEM-cell which located in the open area and the integrated system, respectively, with the same EFT radiation conditions; then, the cells' viability, the cellular ROS level and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected, respectively. The results showed that in the same parameter of the EFT radiation, the processes of the cells had a significant difference and even opposite in the incubator and open area, and all the results could be reproducible. The phenomenon indicated the stability of the TEM-cell-integrated CO₂ incubator, and also demonstrated the necessity to strictly control the cell culture condition when carrying out the precise mechanism study of the TEF bioresponse at the cellular levels.

Effects of the Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on NMDA-Receptor Gene Expression and Visual Working Memory in Male Rhesus Macaques

Introduction

The present research aimed to examine Visual Working Memory (VWM) test scores, as well as hormonal, genomic, and brain anatomic changes in the male rhesus macaques exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF).

Methods

Four monkeys were exposed to two different ELF-MF frequencies: 1 Hz (control) and 12 Hz (experiment) with 0.7 μT (magnitude) 4 h/d for 30 consecutive days. Before and after the exposure, VWM test was conducted using a coated devise on a movable stand. About 10 mL of the animals' blood was obtained from their femoral vain and used to evaluate their melatonin concentration. Blood lymphocytes were used for assaying the expressions of N-Methyl-D-aspartate NMDA-receptor genes expression before and after ELF exposure. Anatomical changes of hippocampus size were also assessed using MRI images.

Results

Results indicated that VWM scores in primates exposed to 12 Hz frequency ELF increased significantly. Plasma melatonin level was also increased in these animals. However, these variables did not change in the animals exposed to 1 Hz ELF. At last, expression of the NMDA receptors increased at exposure to 12 Hz frequency. However, hippocampal volume did not increase significantly in the animals exposed to both frequencies.

Conclusion

In short, these results indicate that ELF (12 Hz) may have a beneficial value for memory enhancement (indicated by the increase in VWM scores). This may be due to an increase in plasma melatonin and or expression of NMDA glutamate receptors. However, direct involvement of the hippocampus in this process needs more research.

Preventing Electromagnetic Pulse Irradiation Damage on Testis Using Selenium-rich Cordyceps Fungi. A Preclinical Study in Young Male Mice

Networked 21st century society, globalization, and communications technologies are paralleled by the rise of electromagnetic energy intensity in our environments and the growing pressure of the environtome on human biology and health. The latter is the entire complement of environmental factors, including the electromagnetic energy and the technologies that generate them, enacting on the digital citizen in the new century. Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) irradiation might have serious damaging effects not only on electronic equipment but also in the whole organism and reproductive health, through nonthermal effects and oxidative stress. We sought to determine whether EMP exposure (1) induces biological damage on reproductive health and (2) the extent to which selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi (daily coadministration) offer protection on the testicles and spermatozoa. In a preclinical randomized study, 3-week-old male BALB/c mice were repeatedly exposed to EMP (peak intensity 200 kV/m, pulse edge 3.5 ns, pulse width 15 ns, 0.1 Hz, and 400 pulses/day) 5 days per week for four consecutive weeks, with or without coadministration of daily selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi (100 mg/kg). Testicular index and spermatozoa formation were measured at baseline and 1, 7, 14, 28, and 60 day time points after EMP exposure. The group without Cordyceps cotreatment displayed decreased spermatozoa formation, shrunk seminiferous tubule diameters, and diminished antioxidative capacity at 28 and 60 days after exposure (p < 0.05). The Cordyceps daily cotreatment alleviated the testicular damage by EMP exposure, increased spermatozoa formation, and reduced apoptotic spermatogenic cells. These observations warrant further preclinical and clinical studies as an innovative approach for potential protection against electromagnetic radiation in the current age of networked society and digital citizenship.

Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility

The impact of electromagnetic field (EMF) on the human health and surrounding environment is a common topic investigated over the years. A significant increase in the electromagnetic field concentration arouses public concern about the long-term effects of EMF on living organisms associated with many aspects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pulsed and continuous electromagnetic field (PEMF/CEMF) on mouse spermatogenic cell lines (GC-1 spg and GC-2 spd) in terms of cellular and biochemical features in vitro. We evaluated the effect of EMF on mitochondrial metabolism, morphology, proliferation rate, viability, cell cycle progression, oxidative stress balance and regulatory proteins. Our results strongly suggest that EMF induces oxidative and nitrosative stress-mediated DNA damage, resulting in p53/p21-dependent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Therefore, spermatogenic cells due to the lack of antioxidant enzymes undergo oxidative and nitrosative stress-mediated cytotoxic and genotoxic events, which contribute to infertility by reduction in healthy sperm cells pool. In conclusion, electromagnetic field present in surrounding environment impairs male fertility by inducing p53/p21-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

MiRNA-10b sponge: An anti-breast cancer study in vitro

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with the highest incidence among women. Breast cancer metastasis is the major cause of treatment failure and mortality among such patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small molecular non-coding regulatory RNAs, which act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in breast cancer. miRNA-10b has been found to exhibit a high expression level in advanced and metastatic breast cancer, and is closely related to breast cancer metastasis. An miRNA sponge is an mRNA with several repeated sequences of complete or incomplete complementarity to the natural miRNA in its 3' non-translating region. It acts as a sponge adsorbing miRNAs and ensures their separation from their targets and inhibits their function. The present study designed a sponge plasmid against miRNA-10b and transiently transfected it into high and low metastatic human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, and analyzed the effects of the miRNA-10b sponge on the growth and proliferation, migration and invasion in these cell lines. qRT-PCR results found that the sponge plasmid effectively inhibited the expression of miRNA-10b, and upregulated the expression of the miRNA‑10b target protein HOXD-10. The results from the CCK-8 assay found that the miRNA-10b sponge inhibited the growth of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Results of the plate cloning experiments indicated that the miRNA-10b sponge suppressed the colony formation of the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The results of wound healing and Transwell assays showed that the miRNA-10b sponge inhibited the migration and invasion of the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Our results demonstrated that the miRNA-10b sponge effectively inhibited the growth and proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. In addition, it also restrained the migration and invasion of human highly metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.