The effects of electromagnetic fields on B16-BL6 cells are dependent on their spatial and temporal character.

Abstract

Exposure to low intensity, low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) has effects on several biological systems. Spatiotemporal characteristics of these EMFs are critical. The effect of several complex EMF patterns on the proliferation of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells was tested. Exposure to one of these patterns, the Thomas-EMF, inhibited cell proliferation and promoted calcium uptake. The Thomas-EMF is coded from a digital-to-analog file comprised of 849 points, which provides power to solenoids and can be set to alter timing, intensity, and duration of variable EMF. Setting the point duration to 3 ms generated a time-varying EMF pattern which began at 25 Hz and slowed to 6 Hz over a 2.5 s repeat. Exposing B16-BL6 cells to Thomas-EMF set to 3 ms for 1 h/day inhibited cell proliferation by 40% after 5 days, while setting the point duration to 1, 2, 4, or 5 ms had no effect on cell proliferation. Similarly, exposing cells to Thomas-EMF set to 3 ms promoted a three-fold increase in calcium uptake after 1 h, while the other timings had no effect. Exposure to Thomas-EMF for as short as 15 min/day slowed cell proliferation, but exposure for 1 h/day was optimal. This corresponded to the effect on calcium uptake where uptake was detected after 15 min exposure and was maximal by 1 h of treatment. Studies show that the specific spatiotemporal character of EMF is critical in mediating their biological activities. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:165-174, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells, exposure to a specific complex low-frequency EMF pattern (Thomas-EMF) with point duration set to 3 ms (time-varying pattern starting at 25 Hz and slowing to 6 Hz over a 2.5 s repeat) inhibited cell proliferation (~40% after 5 days with 1 h/day exposure) and increased calcium uptake (~3-fold after 1 h). Other point durations (1, 2, 4, or 5 ms) had no effect on proliferation or calcium uptake; effects were detectable with as little as 15 min/day exposure and were maximal/optimal around 1 h/day.

Outcomes measured

• Cell proliferation
• Calcium uptake

Limitations

• No sample size reported in abstract
• Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract
• In vitro model (mouse melanoma cells), limiting generalizability to humans
• Only certain timing parameters tested; other spatiotemporal parameters not detailed in abstract

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "solenoids (Thomas-EMF pattern)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "15 min/day to 1 h/day; assessed up to 5 days (proliferation) and after 1 h (calcium uptake)"
    },
    "population": "B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cell proliferation",
        "Calcium uptake"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells, exposure to a specific complex low-frequency EMF pattern (Thomas-EMF) with point duration set to 3 ms (time-varying pattern starting at 25 Hz and slowing to 6 Hz over a 2.5 s repeat) inhibited cell proliferation (~40% after 5 days with 1 h/day exposure) and increased calcium uptake (~3-fold after 1 h). Other point durations (1, 2, 4, or 5 ms) had no effect on proliferation or calcium uptake; effects were detectable with as little as 15 min/day exposure and were maximal/optimal around 1 h/day.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No sample size reported in abstract",
        "Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract",
        "In vitro model (mouse melanoma cells), limiting generalizability to humans",
        "Only certain timing parameters tested; other spatiotemporal parameters not detailed in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "low frequency",
        "ELF",
        "spatiotemporal characteristics",
        "Thomas-EMF",
        "B16-BL6",
        "mouse melanoma",
        "cell proliferation",
        "calcium uptake",
        "solenoids"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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