Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods alters pro-inflammatory cytokines levels by gender

Abstract

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods alters pro-inflammatory cytokines levels by gender Ozturk H, Saribal D, Gelmez YM, Deniz G, Yilmaz A, Kirectepe A, Ercan AM. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods alters pro-inflammatory cytokines levels by gender. Electromagn Biol Med. 2022 Mar 2:1-11. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2022.2046045. Abstract Maternal exposure to the excessive electromagnetic fields is considered harmful to infants and associated with several health problems in life, such as neurological or immune diseases. In this present study we aimed to investigate the potential effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure during the gestational and lactational period of dams on immune system parameters. The development of white blood cells (WBC), lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and B cells) and production of T cell related cytokines were explored in the offsprings. Significant changes were found in WBC and lymphocyte counts. Although no changes in lymphocyte subunits were observed among groups, CD4+ cells were significantly increased in the female group exposed to ELF-EMF. Also, IL-17A and IFN-γ levels increased in plasma and spleen. The mean IL-4 level and the expression level of the IL-4 gene were not changed, in the experimental groups. But the expression of the IL-17A gene was also upregulated, which supports cytokine quantification analyses. In conclusion, ELF-EMF exposure in the prenatal and postnatal period increases the level of IL-17A in the spleen and blood of young female rats, and it upregulates IL-17 gene expression in the spleen, resulting in CD4+ cell proliferation and inflammation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In offspring of dams exposed to ELF-EMF during gestation and lactation, significant changes were observed in WBC and lymphocyte counts. CD4+ cells were significantly increased in the exposed female group, and IL-17A and IFN-γ levels increased in plasma and spleen; IL-4 levels and IL-4 gene expression were not changed. IL-17A gene expression was upregulated, and the authors conclude ELF-EMF increased IL-17A in spleen and blood of young female rats with CD4+ proliferation and inflammation.

Outcomes measured

• White blood cell (WBC) counts
• Lymphocyte counts
• Lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, B cells)
• Plasma cytokines (IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-4)
• Spleen cytokines (IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-4)
• Gene expression (IL-17A, IL-4)

Limitations

• Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in the provided abstract
• Sample size not reported in the provided abstract
• Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in the provided abstract

Suggested hubs

• prenatal-exposure (0.86)
  Exposure occurred during gestational (prenatal) and lactational (early postnatal) periods with outcomes measured in offspring.
• elf-emf (0.84)
  Study explicitly investigates extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure.
• animal-studies (0.8)
  Experimental findings are in rats (dams and offspring).

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "maternal exposure during gestational and lactational period (dams)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "prenatal (gestational) and postnatal (lactational) periods"
    },
    "population": "Rat offspring (young; sex-specific results reported)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "White blood cell (WBC) counts",
        "Lymphocyte counts",
        "Lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, B cells)",
        "Plasma cytokines (IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-4)",
        "Spleen cytokines (IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-4)",
        "Gene expression (IL-17A, IL-4)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In offspring of dams exposed to ELF-EMF during gestation and lactation, significant changes were observed in WBC and lymphocyte counts. CD4+ cells were significantly increased in the exposed female group, and IL-17A and IFN-γ levels increased in plasma and spleen; IL-4 levels and IL-4 gene expression were not changed. IL-17A gene expression was upregulated, and the authors conclude ELF-EMF increased IL-17A in spleen and blood of young female rats with CD4+ proliferation and inflammation.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in the provided abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in the provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "postnatal exposure",
        "gestation",
        "lactation",
        "immune system",
        "cytokines",
        "IL-17A",
        "IFN-γ",
        "IL-4",
        "CD4+ T cells",
        "inflammation",
        "sex differences",
        "rats"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "prenatal-exposure",
            "weight": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "Exposure occurred during gestational (prenatal) and lactational (early postnatal) periods with outcomes measured in offspring."
        },
        {
            "slug": "elf-emf",
            "weight": 0.83999999999999996891375531049561686813831329345703125,
            "reason": "Study explicitly investigates extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure."
        },
        {
            "slug": "animal-studies",
            "weight": 0.8000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Experimental findings are in rats (dams and offspring)."
        }
    ]
}

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