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

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.

AI evidence extraction

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

Suggested hubs

• elf-emf (0.86)
  In vitro exposure to extremely-low-frequency EMF at 50 Hz with reported molecular changes.

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    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "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": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "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": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "In vitro exposure to extremely-low-frequency EMF at 50 Hz with reported molecular changes."
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}

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