A short‐term extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure increases circulating leukocyte numbers and affects HPA‐axis signaling in mice

Abstract

There is still uncertainty whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF‐EMF) can induce health effects like immunomodulation. Despite evidence obtained in vitro, an unambiguous association has not yet been established in vivo. Here, mice were exposed to ELF‐EMF for 1, 4, and 24 h/day in a short‐term (1 week) and long‐term (15 weeks) set‐up to investigate whole body effects on the level of stress regulation and immune response. ELF‐EMF signal contained multiple frequencies (20–5000 Hz) and a magnetic flux density of 10 μT. After exposure, blood was analyzed for leukocyte numbers (short‐term and long‐term) and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration (short‐term only). Furthermore, in the short‐term experiment, stress‐related parameters, corticotropin‐releasing hormone, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and CYP11A1 gene‐expression, respectively, were determined in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. In the short‐term but not long‐term experiment, leukocyte counts were significantly higher in the 24 h‐exposed group compared with controls, mainly represented by increased neutrophils and CD4 ± lymphocytes. POMC expression and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone were significantly lower compared with unexposed control mice. In conclusion, short‐term ELF‐EMF exposure may affect hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activation in mice. Changes in stress hormone release may explain changes in circulating leukocyte numbers and composition. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:433–443, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Maternal stress-induced behavioral changes diminished by maternal exposure to an electromagnetic field (50 Hz, 100 µTesla) in male rat offspring

“…Different experimental periods and durations and severities of the electromagnetic eld in these studies may lead to discrepancies. Moreover, similar to our study, ELF-EMF exposure has been shown to decrease CRH and proopiomelanocortin gene expression, hence CORT synthesis in mice [de Kleijn et al, 2016]. It is suggested that decreased anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in the S-EMF offspring are probably due to decreased serum CORT levels [Gregus et al, 2005b].…”

Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field as a Stress Factor—Really Detrimental?—Insight into Literature from the Last Decade

“…In mice exposed to 10 μT ELF-MF (1, 4, or 24 h/day for 1 week—short-term exposure), no significant differences in CRH gene expression in hypothalamus were observed, whereas ACTH plasma level was lower regardless of the daily exposure time (1, 4, or 24 h/day for 1 week). Moreover, the expression of pituitary level of POMC was lower in an exposure time-dependent manner, and a statistically significant decrease appeared after 24 h/day exposure [ 124 ]. Mostafa et al [ 125 ] showed that 2- and 4-week exposure of rats to ELF-MF (2 G, equivalent to 0.2 mT) significantly increased their plasma corticosterone level.…”

“…Thus, the ELF-MF exposure can cause deregulation of the immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to infectious and autoimmune diseases. Interesting results concerning the effect of ELF-MF on lymphocytes level were obtained by de Kleijn et al [ 124 ]. In mice exposed to 10 μT ELF-MF (1, 4, or 24 h/day for 1 week—short-term exposure, or for 15-week long-term exposure) the increase in CD3+/CD4+ T-lymphocytes was observed only after short-term exposure to ELF-MF.…”

The Hyperfine Coupling Radical Pair Mechanism of Biological Effects on Weak Magnetic Fields

“…An increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in workers occupationally exposed to ELF-MFs were observed in Huss, et al [21]. Kleijn, et al [22]; Zhang, et al [23]; Schüz, et al [24]; Tang, et al [25]; Fixler, et al [26]; Wang, et al [27]; Prato, et al [28]; Corbacio, et al [29]; Vanderstraeten and Gillis [30]; Bowman, et al [31]; Prato, et al [32]; Burda, et al [33]; Burger, et al [34] reported the other biological effects of ELF-MFs (0 to 300 Hz) fields. Smith, et al [58]; Lednev [59]; Blanchard and Blackman [60]; Binhi [61] proposed the mechanisms of biological effects of ELF-MFs which are cyclotron resonance theory and it's new interpretation,the ion parametric resonance model and an interference of ions bound within proteins.…”

“…For example, more and more people have been attracted by the small increases in childhood leukemia for children living near power lines and possible increases in brain tumors for heavy use of cell phones [1]. The biological effects of extremely low-frequency (0 to 300 Hz) magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are presented [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. The biological effects of intermediate frequency (300 Hz to 100 kHz) magnetic fields(IMF-MFs)are discussed [35][36][37][38].…”