Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects

Abstract

The direct targets of extremely low and microwave frequency range electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in producing non-thermal effects have not been clearly established. However, studies in the literature, reviewed here, provide substantial support for such direct targets. Twenty-three studies have shown that voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) produce these and other EMF effects, such that the L-type or other VGCC blockers block or greatly lower diverse EMF effects. Furthermore, the voltage-gated properties of these channels may provide biophysically plausible mechanisms for EMF biological effects. Downstream responses of such EMF exposures may be mediated through Ca2+/calmodulin stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis. Potentially, physiological/therapeutic responses may be largely as a result of nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway stimulation. A well-studied example of such an apparent therapeutic response, EMF stimulation of bone growth, appears to work along this pathway. However, pathophysiological responses to EMFs may be as a result of nitric oxide-peroxynitrite-oxidative stress pathway of action. A single such well-documented example, EMF induction of DNA single-strand breaks in cells, as measured by alkaline comet assays, is reviewed here. Such single-strand breaks are known to be produced through the action of this pathway. Data on the mechanism of EMF induction of such breaks are limited; what data are available support this proposed mechanism. Other Ca2+-mediated regulatory changes, independent of nitric oxide, may also have roles. This article reviews, then, a substantially supported set of targets, VGCCs, whose stimulation produces non-thermal EMF responses by humans/higher animals with downstream effects involving Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide increases, which may explain therapeutic and pathophysiological effects.

Scientific evidence contradicts findings and assumptions of Canadian Safety Panel 6: microwaves act through voltage-gated calcium channel activation to induce biological impacts at non-thermal levels, supporting a paradigm shift for microwave/lower frequency electromagnetic field action

“…In most but not all cases, L-type VGCCs were studied, but T-type, N-type and P/Qtype channels can also have roles, as shown by channel blockers specific for these other channels (1). In each of these studies, calcium channel blockers blocked or greatly lowered each of the responses studied, showing that VGCC activation is required for low intensity fields to produce a wide range of responses (1). Each of these channel blockers is thought to be highly specific, such that with two different types of L-type blockers being used that act at different sites on the L-type VGCCs and also one each of the T-type, N-type and P/Q type blockers being used, with each showing activity in blocking or greatly lowering EMF responses, it is highly unlikely that a non-VGCC mechanism is involved here.…”

“…At this point, there is much evidence implicating VGCC activation but no apparent evidence implicating other voltage-gated ion channels in low intensity EMF responses (1)(2)(3). Possible reasons for this should be assessed elsewhere.…”

“…A recent review (1), noted that in two dozen studies, calcium channel blocking drugs block a wide range of electromagnetic field (EMF) effects on cells and organisms by blocking voltagegated calcium channels (VGCCs which are also known as voltage-operated, voltage-dependent or voltageregulated calcium channels). In most but not all cases, L-type VGCCs were studied, but T-type, N-type and P/Qtype channels can also have roles, as shown by channel blockers specific for these other channels (1).…”

“…We are therefore in a situation where the paradigm of EMF action focused solely on heating (9-13), should be replaced by one based on VGCC activation of microwave and other EMFs (1)(2)(3).…”

The Main Approaches of Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Artificial Electromagnetic Fields on Cell

“…The recent review [108] provides support for a pathway of the biological action of ultralow frequency and microwave EMFs, nanosecond pulses and static electrical or magnetic fields via EMF activation of voltage-gated calcium channels which leads to rapid elevation of intracellular Ca In works of research group of Kharkiv National University the EMFsinduced condensation of chromatin in cell nuclei was demonstrated. Chromatin -the main component of cell nucleus in the period when cell is not dividing is presented in two forms -euchromatin (the main part of chromatin) and the heterochromatin (the condensed, nonactive chromatin).…”