Current Chemical Biology - Volume 10, Issue 1, 2016

The effects of non-thermal intensity of microwave (NT MW)- treated physiological solutions (PS) on muscle contractility, 45Ca uptake by muscle and muscle hydration of snail isolated heart in normal and K+-free PS were studied. The intra-cordial perfusion by NT MW-treated PS led to inhibition of heart beating with gradual decrease of the amplitudes of muscle contraction, the weakness of the Na+/K+ pump-induced transient inhibition of heart beating (TIHB), the inhibition of 45Ca2+ uptake by muscle, the increase of intracellular cGMP contents and muscle dehydration. The obtained data serve as additional evidence for hypothesis that cell bathing aqua solution is a primary target for non-thermal effect of MW on cells and organisms.

The article entitled 128;œBio Energy Man Produced Technique to Control the EMF of the Mitochon-dria in Order to Re Establish Cell´s Normal Functions128; has been retracted; published in Current Chemical Biology, Vol. 10, no. 1; Pp. 9-17128;. The above article contains the reference of the retracted arti-cle which was published in the Journal of Electromagnetic Analysis and Applications, entitled: 128;œBiophys-ics and Cancer: The Electromagnetic Fields Produced by the Mitochondria and Its Effect on the Cell128;™s Metabolic Regulation.128; Vol. 6, no. 10; Pp. 328-334128;. Since the original article has been found to be a re-dundant publication, therefore, the Editor decided to retract this article as well. Bentham Science would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused.

This review is aimed to summarize the literature concerning the effect of the exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of human origin on male reproduction. In particular, we addressed our attention in examining the papers concerning static magnetic fields (SMFs), extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), microwaves (MW) and radio frequencies (RF). These EMFs are produced by the technological activity, during medical imaging examinations, in transport and use of electricity, and by telecommunication devices. Consequently, it is virtually impossible to avoid their presence in houses, schools, hospitals, as well as in public places or in workplaces. Recently, ELFEMFs and RF have been classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and they have attracted the attention of public and of scientists, because of the concerns about their possible negative effect on human and animal health. In this context, it is of great interest to assess their effect on male reproductive health. Unfortunately, the epidemiological studies carried out until now failed to give a clear evidence of the risk associated with the EMFs exposure for several reasons: it is impossible to define a “typical” exposure profile, the level of risk has the same order of magnitude of the background, and therefore more extensive studies are required. Animal and cellular model also give inconclusive and contradictory results likely due to the difficulty in standardizing the experimental models and due to the exposure physical parameters. In conclusion, a further great research effort would be needed to clarify this controversial and important topic.

The effects of exposure to 6 mT Static Magnetic Field (SMF) and to 15 and 72 Hz Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Fields (PEMFs) on the early development of the sea urchin P.lividus were evaluated. The amplitudes of PEMFs were chosen in the range of that approved for magnetotherapy and the magnetic induction of SMF was the one already shown to interfere with some cell functions in in vitro experiments. P.lividus embryos, from fertilization to pluteus larva (about 72 h of development) were exposed to the different MFs continuously or alternating periods under MFs exposure with periods without exposure. The type of applied MF (static or time-varying) and the duration and/or modality of exposure interfered with the normal development. In general, the early stages of development were more responsive to MF exposure than the prisma and pluteus stages. The MFs induced three main modifications of P.lividus embryos: i) alteration of the speed of the development growth, ii) morphological changes ending in the death of embryos and iii) increase of embryos adhering to the substrate of culture flask. SMF was more embryotoxic than PEMFs (72 Hz > 15 Hz); longer times of exposure induced more modifications than shorter one; continuous exposure was more harmful than alternate exposure. Interestingly, the effects produced by 15 Hz PEMFs exposure for 6 h followed by a 16 h recovery in absence of field, were reversible and the development continued normally.

This paper proposes and for the first time examines in parallel the most likely mechanisms of clinical effects unlocked by two modality applications: the therapeutic (acute) “take and run” and the occupational (chronic) “take and hold” of therapeutic EMFs. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for therapeutic use have a long pre-clinical and clinical history. The practical experience worldwide has increased the trust of the medical community due to the EMF potential for speeding up the recovery and reparative processes and for influencing the pathological ones – edema, pain, inflammation. We consider these favourable effects of the triggered stimulation of the production of endothelial NO - a consequence of the biochemical activation of the calcium-calmodulin system as well as the vasodilatative vasomotor changes by low-intensity EMFs of any range as the main clinically significant, universal therapeutic mechanism of action in the stimulation of the reparative processes. These beneficial health effects on patients look different when assessed as an occupational factor from the perspective of the health of the physiotherapy professionals. Our recent, complex, ambispective study, which as far as we know is the first in this field, has provided evidence about their specific morbidity profile in its somatic and behavioral complexity, where seems to be endocrinal and cell damaging/ irritating processes are involved. The results indicate that the hypothesized endocrinal mechanisms concern the changes in the estrogen and melatonin levels (assessed indirectly). The immuno-endocrine EMF-induced autoreplication and disruption of adipose tissue cells are suspected to amplify the adverse effects of the occupational low-intensity mixed EMFs and were found to be in a causal relation. Our hypothesis of the main mechanism of the occupational (chronical) EMF adverse effects is based on the presumption of selective EMF targeting of the hydrated/hyper hydrated tissues (which is an indispensable physiological parameter of every vital tissue) with probable related maintenance of permanent high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This requires thorough examination due to the great biological/ clinical significance of such a dependence given some common recommendations existing in Bulgarian physiotherapy facilities for an increased water intake during working hours.

The present review paper deals with experimental findings on the shielding action effects of two homologous disaccharides, i.e. sucrose and trehalose, against applied electromagnetic fields. The study, performed by means of the Fourier Transform InfraRed technique, is addressed to examine the effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the secondary structure of some prototypal proteins (haemoglobin, bovine serum albumin and lysozyme) in aqueous solution, both in the absence and presence of the disaccharides. More specifically, haemoglobin and bovine serum albumin water solutions, in the absence and presence of sucrose and trehalose, were exposed to a uniform magnetic field of 200 mT. The intensity of the amide A vibration band, for both haemoglobin and bovine serum albumin in bidistilled water solution, drops down after three hours of exposure. The addition of sucrose and trehalose reduces such a decrease. Moreover, a three hours of exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field at 1 mT of aqueous solutions of haemoglobin causes a relative increase in intensity of the β-sheet component with respect to the α-helix component in the amide I region; no appreciable spectral modifications were observed in haemoglobin samples in the presence of trehalose or sucrose. Finally, the effects of 1800 MHz microwaves on haemoglobin, bovine serum albumin and lysozyme aqueous solutions were investigated under a 3 h exposure of a 21 mA/m H-field (average intensity). FTIR analysis reveals a significant increase in intensity of proteins amide I and II modes after exposure, but no appreciable changes are detected for haemoglobin in the presence of sucrose and trehalose, confirming the hypothesis that disaccharides preserve proteins from electromagnetic fields.

Background: This is a partial replication study of work conducted by high school students in Denmark as part of their science fair project. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether radiation from a Wi-Fi router affects germination and growth of garden cress (Lepidium sativum), broccoli (Brassica oleracea), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and pea (Pisum sativum). Method: One set of seeds was placed in Petri plates in a germination chamber kept under controlled conditions and was exposed to microwave radiation generated by a Wi-Fi router (mean and maximum exposures 20–40 and 96 mW/m2 respectively). The other set of seeds was kept under identical conditions with no Wi-Fi router (reference) and with much lower microwave exposure (0.0001 mW/m2). Seedlings were harvested after one month and biomass (dry weight) was recorded. Results: The radiation from the Wi-Fi router did not affect germination of any of the species tested. However, there was a significant reduction in dry weight of the broccoli (86% of control) and peas (43% of control) exposed to Wi-Fi radiation at the end of the experiment (p<0.01). Wi-Fi exposure inhibited root growth of several species. It also caused root tips to turn brown and reduced root hairs of cress compared with the reference treatment. Broccoli seedlings closest to the Wi-Fi router grew away from the router; cress seedlings had larger leaves and were chlorotic compared with controls. Several small plants began to die and mould developed in those Petri plates. Conclusions: Radiation from Wi-Fi reduces root and shoot growth, contributes to chlorosis, alters size of leaves, and reduces fine root hairs in several on the species tested. Radiation generated by a Wi-Fi router, at levels well below international guidelines for microwave radiation, adversely affects plant growth and may interfere with a plant’s ability to protect itself from opportunistic mould.

It has been shown that low intensity microwave/lower frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) act in animals via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in the plasma membrane, producing excessive intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, with excessive [Ca2+]i leading to both pathophysiological and also in some cases therapeutic effects. The pathophysiological effects are produced largely through excessive [Ca2+]i signaling including excessive nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, peroxynitrite, free radical formation and consequent oxidative stress. The activation of the VGCCs is thought to be produced via EMF impact on the VGCC voltage sensor, with the physical properties of that voltage sensor predicting that it is extraordinarily sensitive to these EMFs. It is shown here that the action of EMFs in terrestrial, multicellular (embryophyte) plants is probably similar to the action in animals in most but not all respects, with calcium channel activation in the plasma membrane leading to excessive [Ca2+]i, leading in turn to most if not all of the biological effects. A number of studies in plants are briefly reviewed which are consistent with and supportive of such a mechanism. Plant channels most plausibly to be involved, are the so-called two pore channels (TPCs), which have a voltage sensor similar to those found in the animal VGCCs.

This study tested the acute effects of pulsating electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy session on gene expression in muscle cells, and the changes in cardiovascular and metabolic function in a group of older adults after 12 weeks of treatment. Each therapy session involved 15 minutes of exposure to low frequency pulsating asymmetrical waveforms emitted by the Impulser™ Pro mattress. The treatment was provided five days per week for a total of 60 sessions. Pre and post session muscle biopsies provided tissue for analyses of selected genes. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness was determined for cardiovascular function while cholesterol and glucose levels were evaluated using serum samples. Skin temperature was measured using temperature probes. Fifty-five older men and women (mean age 59.75) completed the entire treatment while six subjects in this group consented to muscle biopsies. The results indicate no change in mRNA content of Ku70 during the single PEMF session however mRNA levels of IL-6 and c-Fos increased. The chronic effects of PEMF treatment include significant reductions in blood pressure, and increases in skin temperature. These findings suggest that due to no change in Ku70 levels, a gene associated with DNA damage, an acute bout of PEMF did not cause acute molecular damage. The increase in IL-6, a gene associated with expression of a glucose transporter, might have an influence on glucose metabolism. The increase in c- Fos, a gene linked to growth factors in skeletal muscle, might influence lose in muscle size associated with aging. The increase in skin temperature is difficult to interpret since it might be linked to either heightened metabolism or improvements in peripheral circulation. More studies are needed to determine if these changes impact the health of aging adults.