Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those from electric power transmission and distribution lines (50/60 Hz) have been associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas. Several in vitro studies on EMF effects were performed to clarify the existing co...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Myrtill Simkó
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2004-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2004.174
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832564492062425088
author Myrtill Simkó
author_facet Myrtill Simkó
author_sort Myrtill Simkó
collection DOAJ
description Electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those from electric power transmission and distribution lines (50/60 Hz) have been associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas. Several in vitro studies on EMF effects were performed to clarify the existing controversies, define the risks, and determine the possible mechanisms of adverse effects. In some of these reports, the effects were related to other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Modification in cell proliferation was observed after EMF exposure and a few reports on cytotoxic effects have also been published. This limited review gives an overview of the current results of scientific research regarding in vitro studies on the effects of power line frequency EMF, but also cell biological mechanisms and their potential involvement in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are discussed. Cell cycle control and signal transduction processes are included to elucidate the biochemical background of possible interactions. Exposure to EMF has been also linked to the incidence of leukemia and other tumors in some epidemiological studies and is considered as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, but there is no well-established biological mechanism that explains such a relation. Furthermore, EMF is also shown as a stimulus for immune relevant cells (e.g., macrophages) to release free radicals. It is known that chronic activation of macrophages is associated with the onset of phagocytosis and leads to increased formation of reactive oxygen species, which themselves may cause DNA damage and are suggested to lead to carcinogenesis. To demonstrate a possible interaction between EMF and cellular systems, we present a mechanistic model describing cell activation as a major importance for cellular response.
format Article
id doaj-art-9e0fa3d610674392a6d76ba72fe8e879
institution Kabale University
issn 1537-744X
language English
publishDate 2004-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-9e0fa3d610674392a6d76ba72fe8e8792025-02-03T01:10:57ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2004-01-01442210.1100/tsw.2004.174Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic FieldsMyrtill Simkó0University of Rostock, Institute of Cell Biology and Biosystems Technology, Division of Environmental Physiology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, D-18059 Rostock, GermanyElectromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those from electric power transmission and distribution lines (50/60 Hz) have been associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas. Several in vitro studies on EMF effects were performed to clarify the existing controversies, define the risks, and determine the possible mechanisms of adverse effects. In some of these reports, the effects were related to other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Modification in cell proliferation was observed after EMF exposure and a few reports on cytotoxic effects have also been published. This limited review gives an overview of the current results of scientific research regarding in vitro studies on the effects of power line frequency EMF, but also cell biological mechanisms and their potential involvement in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are discussed. Cell cycle control and signal transduction processes are included to elucidate the biochemical background of possible interactions. Exposure to EMF has been also linked to the incidence of leukemia and other tumors in some epidemiological studies and is considered as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, but there is no well-established biological mechanism that explains such a relation. Furthermore, EMF is also shown as a stimulus for immune relevant cells (e.g., macrophages) to release free radicals. It is known that chronic activation of macrophages is associated with the onset of phagocytosis and leads to increased formation of reactive oxygen species, which themselves may cause DNA damage and are suggested to lead to carcinogenesis. To demonstrate a possible interaction between EMF and cellular systems, we present a mechanistic model describing cell activation as a major importance for cellular response.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2004.174
spellingShingle Myrtill Simkó
Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
The Scientific World Journal
title Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
title_full Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
title_fullStr Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
title_full_unstemmed Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
title_short Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
title_sort induction of cell activation processes by low frequency electromagnetic fields
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2004.174
work_keys_str_mv AT myrtillsimko inductionofcellactivationprocessesbylowfrequencyelectromagneticfields