scholarly journals A Plausible Biological Mechanism by which Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase the Risk of Childhood Leukemia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel López-Lázaro
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Dna Alterations ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are non-ionizing radiations typically emitted by power lines, electrical wiring and electrical appliances. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown a positive association between ELF-EMFs and childhood leukemia. Exposures greater than 0.3-0.4 µT increase the risk by approximately 1.5-2 fold, and estimates indicate that up to 2% of childhood leukemia cases in Europe may be attributable to ELF-EMFs. However, it is considered unlikely that ELF-EMFs can cause cancer, because carcinogenesis requires the accumulation of DNA alterations and ELF-EMFs do not have enough energy to damage the DNA. Lack of biological plausibility is a barrier to accept the evidence of carcinogenicity in human studies and to take measures to protect pregnant women and children from ELF-EMFs. Recent evidence indicates that non-mutagenic agents can cause DNA alterations and increase the risk of cancer by promoting the accumulation of cell divisions in stem cells. Cell division generates DNA alterations (e.g., mutations arising during DNA replication), which occur even in the absence of DNA-damaging agents. Importantly, ELF-EMFs can trigger the division of stem cells; this effect is under development in the field of regenerative medicine. A possible mechanism by which ELF-EMFs induce the malignant transformation of hematopoietic stem cells is discussed.

Neural stimulation on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1329-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunjin Cho ◽  
Young-Kwon Seo ◽  
Hee-Hoon Yoon ◽  
Soo-Chan Kim ◽  
Sung-Min Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Neural Stimulation ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Human Bone Marrow ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Fields, Oxidative Stress, and Neurodegeneration

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Consales ◽  
Caterina Merla ◽  
Carmela Marino ◽  
Barbara Benassi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Great Debate ◽  
Increased Risk

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) originating both from both natural and manmade sources permeate our environment. As people are continuously exposed to EMFs in everyday life, it is a matter of great debate whether they can be harmful to human health. On the basis of two decades of epidemiological studies, an increased risk for childhood leukemia associated with Extremely Low Frequency fields has been consistently assessed, inducing the International Agency for Research on Cancer to insert them in the 2B section of carcinogens in 2001. EMFs interaction with biological systems may cause oxidative stress under certain circumstances. Since free radicals are essential for brain physiological processes and pathological degeneration, research focusing on the possible influence of the EMFs-driven oxidative stress is still in progress, especially in the light of recent studies suggesting that EMFs may contribute to the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. This review synthesizes the emerging evidences about this topic, highlighting the wide data uncertainty that still characterizes the EMFs effect on oxidative stress modulation, as both pro-oxidant and neuroprotective effects have been documented. Care should be taken to avoid methodological limitations and to determine the patho-physiological relevance of any alteration found in EMFs-exposed biological system.

scholarly journals Differentiation of human adult cardiac stem cells exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

2009 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Gaetani ◽  
Mario Ledda ◽  
Lucio Barile ◽  
Isotta Chimenti ◽  
Flavia De Carlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cardiac Stem Cells ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Human Adult

scholarly journals Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Osteogenesis of Human Alveolar Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
KiTaek Lim ◽  
Jin Hexiu ◽  
Jangho Kim ◽  
Hoon Seonwoo ◽  
Woo Jae Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Alveolar Bone ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Pulsed Electromagnetic

This study was performed to investigate the effects of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMFs) on the proliferation and differentiation of human alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hABMSCs). Osteogenesis is a complex series of events involving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to generate new bone. In this study, we examined not merely the effect of ELF-PEMFs on cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization of the extracellular matrix but vinculin, vimentin, and calmodulin (CaM) expressions in hABMSCs during osteogenic differentiation. Exposure of hABMSCs to ELF-PEMFs increased proliferation by 15% compared to untreated cells at day 5. In addition, exposure to ELF-PEMFs significantly increased ALP expression during the early stages of osteogenesis and substantially enhanced mineralization near the midpoint of osteogenesis within 2 weeks. ELF-PEMFs also increased vinculin, vimentin, and CaM expressions, compared to control. In particular, CaM indicated that ELF-PEMFs significantly altered the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. The results indicated that ELF-PEMFs could enhance early cell proliferation in hABMSCs-mediated osteogenesis and accelerate the osteogenesis.

scholarly journals Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Association with Meningioma

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Carlberg ◽  
Tarmo Koppel ◽  
Mikko Ahonen ◽  
Lennart Hardell
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain tumors during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 we assessed lifetime occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with meningioma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT), and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. Results. No increased risk for meningioma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7–1.2, and p linear trend = 0.45 were calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in different time windows. Conclusion. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for meningioma.

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