Effect of ELF-EMF on antioxidant status and micronuclei in K562 cells and normal lymphocytes

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields influence the expression of calcium metabolism related proteins in leukocytic cell lines

Our study aimed to verify the hypothesis concerning low-frequency magnetic fields (LF-MFs)-related changes in cell viability through the biomechanism(s) based on calcineurin (CaN)-mediated signaling pathways triggered via ROS-like molecules. For experiments, Mono Mac 6 and U937 leukocytic cell lines were chosen and exposed to various LF-MFs and/or puromycin (PMC). The protein expression level of key regulatory proteins of calcium metabolism was examined by Western Blot analysis. In turn, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell viability parameters were evaluated by cytochrome C reduction assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The simultaneous action of applied MF and PMC influenced cell viability in a MF-dependent manner. The changes in cell viability were correlated with protein expression and ROS levels. It was verified experimentally that applied stress stimuli influence cell susceptibility to undergo cell death. Moreover, the evoked bioeffects might be recognized as specific to both types of leukocyte populations.

Cellular stress response to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF): An explanation for controversial effects of ELF-EMF on apoptosis

Impaired apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and almost all of the non‐surgical approaches of eradicating tumour cells somehow promote induction of apoptosis. Indeed, numerous studies have stated that non‐ionizing non‐thermal extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) can modulate the induction of apoptosis in exposed cells; however, much controversy exists in observations. When cells are exposed to ELF‐EMF alone, very low or no statistically significant changes in apoptosis are observed. Contrarily, exposure to ELF‐EMF in the presence of a co‐stressor, including a chemotherapeutic agent or ionizing radiation, can either potentiate or inhibit apoptotic effects of the co‐stressor. In our idea, the main point neglected in interpreting these discrepancies is “the cellular stress responses” of cells following ELF‐EMF exposure and its interplay with apoptosis. The main purpose of the current review was to outline the triangle of ELF‐EMF, the cellular stress response of cells and apoptosis and to interpret and unify discrepancies in results based on it. Therefore, initially, we will describe studies performed on identifying the effect of ELF‐EMF on induction/inhibition of apoptosis and enumerate proposed pathways through which ELF‐EMF exposure may affect apoptosis; then, we will explain cellular stress response and cues for its induction in response to ELF‐EMF exposure; and finally, we will explain why such controversies have been observed by different investigators.

Zinc Sulphate Mediates the Stimulation of Cell Proliferation of Rat Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under High Intensity of EMF Exposure

Unlike the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine, their application in cell therapy can be complicated by factors such as a reduction in the proliferation potential, senescent tendency of MSCs to expand, and an age-dependent decline in their number and functions. It was shown that there is an association between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and response to stress, cell proliferation, aging, and cell death. Furthermore, the zinc ion, as an essential trace element, was reported to be involved in the regulation of the growth and cell proliferation. In this report, ratadipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rADSCs) were randomly divided into four groups-group I (control without any ZnSO₄ and EMF); group II (ZnSO₄ treatment without EMF exposed); group III (EMF exposed without ZnSO₄); and group ІV (EMF exposed with ZnSO₄)-to evaluate whether 0.14 μg/ml Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) could affect cell proliferation of rADSCs under extremely low frequency-electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF). The methyl thiazoltetrazolium (MTT) method was used to determine the cell proliferation of rADSCs following exposure to ELF-EMF in the presence of ZnSO₄. The immunocytochemistry method as well as flow-cytometry was used to identify the cell surface markers. Next, oil red O, alizarin red, toluidine blue, and cresyl violet staining was done to evaluate the adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and neurogenic differentiation of rADSCs as the pluripotent capacity of rADSCs, respectively. The results showed that an exposure to ELF-EMF caused a decrease in the proliferation of rADSCs. However, the ZnSO₄ supplementation significantly increased the cell proliferation of ELF-EMF-exposed rADSCs. In addition, in the presence of 0.14 μg/ml ZnSO₄, rADSCs appeared to be growing faster than the control group and ZnSO₄ significantly decreased the doubling time of ELF-EMF-exposed rADSCs. It seems that ZnSO₄ would be a good element to induce the cell proliferation of ELF-EMF-exposed rADSCs.