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Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and heat shock can increase microvesicle motility in astrocytes.

PAPER pubmed Bioelectromagnetics 2001 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Abstract

The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on microvesicles was examined in rat astrocytes by video-enhanced microscopy in combination with a perfusable cell chamber. The EMF effect was compared with the effect of heat shock (HS) and with a combination of them both. The velocity of microvesicles was measured using image processing software (NIH Scion image 1.61). After exposure of astrocytes to EMF (50 Hz, 100microT, 1 h), the velocity of microvesicles in astrocytes increased from 0.32 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 120, 95% CI) in the untreated control group to 0.41 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 175, 95% CI). Fifteen minutes after HS (45 degrees C, 10 min) the microvesicles showed a velocity of 0.56 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 125, 95% CI). Combination of HS and EMF led to an increase in velocity up to 0.54 +/- 0.03 microm/s (n = 110, 95% CI). No significant difference between HS and HS+EMF was found. Compared to the untreated control group, the increased microvesicle velocity of the exposed cells might be a stress response of the cell. It is possibly a sign of intensified intracellular traffic required to adjust the metabolic needs.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance
Study type
In vitro study
Effect direction
mixed
Population
Rat astrocytes
Sample size
Exposure
ELF · 0.05 MHz · 1 h
Evidence strength
Low
Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

After ELF-EMF exposure (50 Hz, 100 microT, 1 h), microvesicle velocity increased from 0.32 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=120) in untreated controls to 0.41 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=175). Heat shock (45°C, 10 min) increased velocity to 0.56 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=125), and heat shock plus EMF increased velocity to 0.54 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=110); no significant difference was found between heat shock alone and heat shock plus EMF.

Outcomes measured

  • Microvesicle velocity/motility in astrocytes

Limitations

  • In vitro study in rat astrocytes; generalizability to humans or in vivo conditions is unclear.
  • Exposure conditions limited to a single ELF frequency (50 Hz), field strength (100 microT), and duration (1 h).
  • Abstract does not report statistical testing details for the EMF-only comparison beyond descriptive statistics and confidence intervals.
View raw extracted JSON
{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 h"
    },
    "population": "Rat astrocytes",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Microvesicle velocity/motility in astrocytes"
    ],
    "main_findings": "After ELF-EMF exposure (50 Hz, 100 microT, 1 h), microvesicle velocity increased from 0.32 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=120) in untreated controls to 0.41 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=175). Heat shock (45°C, 10 min) increased velocity to 0.56 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=125), and heat shock plus EMF increased velocity to 0.54 ± 0.03 µm/s (n=110); no significant difference was found between heat shock alone and heat shock plus EMF.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro study in rat astrocytes; generalizability to humans or in vivo conditions is unclear.",
        "Exposure conditions limited to a single ELF frequency (50 Hz), field strength (100 microT), and duration (1 h).",
        "Abstract does not report statistical testing details for the EMF-only comparison beyond descriptive statistics and confidence intervals."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "100 microT",
        "astrocytes",
        "rat",
        "microvesicles",
        "motility",
        "velocity",
        "heat shock",
        "cell stress response",
        "video-enhanced microscopy"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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