Mechanisms of electromagnetic interaction with cellular systems

Abstract

The question of how electromagnetic fields--static or low to high frequency--interact with biological systems is of great interest. The current discussion among biologists, chemists, and physicists emphasizes aspects of experimental verification and of defining microscopic and macroscopic mechanisms. Both aspects are reviewed here. We emphasize that in certain situations nonthermal interactions of electromagnetic fields occur with cellular systems.

Dual effects of microwaves on single Ca2+‐activated K+ channels in cultured kidney cells Vero

“…A horizontal line indicates the expected behaviour of the relationship in the absence of the EMF effect on n. As can be seen, ifn ° is, on average, more than 1, the field reduces it; conversely, if n ° is less than 1, the field would increase it. Thus, the degree and direction of the EMF effects on the parameters of the Kca channels depend on their initial biological status (see also [1,6,18]). What is a possible mechanism of the observed effects of the microwaves on the Kca channels?…”

“…It was shown that 45Ca2+ efflux from brain tissues, neuroblastomes, and synaptosomes essentially changes as a result of exposure to the amplitude-modulated microwaves of non-thermal power (see [1,2] and references therein). Exposure of Characean alga cells to millimetre EMF causes a drastic decrease in the amplitude of Ca2*-activated C1-currents [3].…”

“…Exposure of Characean alga cells to millimetre EMF causes a drastic decrease in the amplitude of Ca2*-activated C1-currents [3]. Further, extremely low frequency timevarying EMFs have been shown to affect 45Ca2+ metabolism [4][5][6], see also [1,2] for references) or increase the cytosolic free Ca 2+ concentration [7 9] in resting and mitogen-treated lymphocytes. Effects of low-level EMFs on some other Ca2+-dependent biological processes have been reported elsewhere [1,2,10].…”

Environmental Electromagnetic Field and Female Fertility

“…The cytotoxic effect of EMF could be attributed to its production of local heat and free radicals. This hypothesis is evidenced by the studies have shown that EMF could produce heat and free radicals (Dandrea et al 2003;Grundler et al 1992;Alexander and Charlesby 1954).…”

“…Another possibility is EMF-inducing apoptosis is mediated through the production of free radicals. It is shown that EMF exposure may result in production of free radicals (Lucia et al 2004;Brocklehurst and McLauchlan 1996;Grundler et al 1992;Alexander 1954). It is also shown that addition of antioxidants, such as vitamine E reduces EMF-induced changes in vivo and in vitro (Mohammadnejad and Soleimani Rad 2010).…”