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HEK293 cell response to static magnetic fields via the radical pair mechanism may explain therapeutic effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields.

ABSTRACT: PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) stimulation has been used for therapeutic purposes for over 50 years including in the treatment of memory loss, depression, alleviation of pain, bone and wound healing, and treatment of certain cancers. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms mediating these effects have remained poorly understood. In particular, because magnetic field pulses will induce electric currents in the stimulated tissue, it is unclear whether the observed effects are due to the magnetic or electric component of the stimulation. Recently, it has been shown that PEMFs stimulate the formation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in human cell cultures by a mechanism that requires cryptochrome, a putative magnetosensor. Here we show by qPCR analysis of ROS-regulated gene expression that simply removing cell cultures from the Earth's geomagnetic field by placing them in a Low-Level Field condition induces similar effects on ROS signaling as does exposure of cells to PEMF. This effect can be explained by the so-called Radical Pair mechanism, which provides a quantum physical means by which the rates and product yields (e.g. ROS) of biochemical redox reactions may be modulated by magnetic fields. Since transient cancelling of the Earth's magnetic field can in principle be achieved by PEMF exposure, we propose that the therapeutic effects of PEMFs may be explained by the ensuing modulation of ROS synthesis. Our results could lead to significant improvements in the design and therapeutic applications of PEMF devices.

SUBMITTER: Pooam M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7714230 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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HEK293 cell response to static magnetic fields via the radical pair mechanism may explain therapeutic effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields.

Pooam Marootpong M Jourdan Nathalie N El Esawi Mohamed M Sherrard Rachel M RM Ahmad Margaret M

PloS one 20201203 12

PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) stimulation has been used for therapeutic purposes for over 50 years including in the treatment of memory loss, depression, alleviation of pain, bone and wound healing, and treatment of certain cancers. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms mediating these effects have remained poorly understood. In particular, because magnetic field pulses will induce electric currents in the stimulated tissue, it is unclear whether the observed effects are due to the m ...[more]

PMID: 33270696

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Project description:BackgroundThe value of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in postoperative pain management, due to the inconsistent findings so far, remains unclear. We extended the evaluation of PEMF on postoperative pain and intravenous (IV) analgesic use to a group of post-appendicectomy Asian patients.MethodsThis is a double-blinded, randomized trial. Adults with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were enrolled. Patients were allocated randomly to receive an active-PEMF device or an inactive device after the surgery in addition to the standard postoperative pain management. The primary outcome measure was the 12-h cumulative postoperative pain intensity measured at four different time points using the visual analogue scale. The secondary outcome measure was the total amount of IV fentanyl used (in mg) via PCA over the first 12 postoperative hours. The primary analysis in this trial compared the two study groups for the reported cumulative pain score (both at rest and on movement) and the cumulative amount of IV fentanyl uses over the first 12 postoperative hours using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Analyses were performed based on the intention-to-treat principal. Multiple imputation was used to handle the missing data assuming that the data were missing at random.FindingsOne hundred eighteen subjects were randomized; 58 were allocated to the active-PEMF group and 60 to the inactive control group. Pooled mean pain score of both intervention groups by time point declined in a similar fashion over the course of 12 postoperative hours. The 12-h cumulative postoperative pain score at rest and on movement did not differ significantly after the procedure. (W = 1832.5 ~ 1933.0, p-value 0.6192 ~ 0.2985 for resting pain score comparison; W = 1737.0 ~ 1804.5, p-value 0.9892 ~ 0.7296 for movement pain score comparison). For the secondary outcome measure of 12-h total fentanyl use, a comparison between the PEMF vs. placebo arm also revealed no statistically significant difference across all the 20 imputed datasets (W = 1676.5 ~ 1859.0, p-value 0.7344 ~ 0.5234).DiscussionPEMF was not superior to placebo as an adjunct pain management for up to 12 h post-appendicectomy. Previously reported effect of PEMF on postoperative pain intensity and analgesia uses in similar surgical settings cannot be verified.Trial registrationNational Medical Research Register Malaysia (NMRR-15-670-25,805) and Thai Clinical Trials Registry (retrospectively registered on November 01, 2019, Study ID-TCTR20191102002).

Project description:Pro-inflammatory cytokines are recognized contributors to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and discogenic pain. We have recently reported the anti-inflammatory effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on IVD cells in vitro. Whether these potentially therapeutic effects are sufficiently potent to influence disc health in vivo has not been demonstrated. We report here the effect of PEMF on acute inflammation arising from a rat-tail IVD injury model. Disc degeneration was induced by percutaneously stabbing the Co6-7, Co7-8, and Co8-9 levels using a 20-gauge needle. Seventy-two (72) rats were divided into three groups: sham control, needle stab, needle stab+PEMF. Treated rats were exposed to PEMF immediately following surgery and for either 4 or 7 days (4 hr/d). Stab and PEMF effects were evaluated by measuring inflammatory cytokine gene expression (RT-PCR) and protein levels (ELISA assay), anabolic and catabolic gene expression (RT-PCR), and histologic changes. We observed in untreated animals that at day 7 after injury, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-1β) were significantly increased at both gene and protein levels (P < .05). Similarly, catabolic factors (MMP [metalloproteinases]-2, MMP-13 and the transcriptional factor NF-kβ gene expression) were significantly increased (P < .05). At day 7, PEMF treatment significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine gene and protein expression induced by needle stab injury (P < .05). At day 4, PEMF downregulated FGF-1 and upregulated MMP-2 compared to the stab-only group. These data demonstrate that previously reported anti-inflammatory effects of PEMF on disc cells carry over to the in vivo situation, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits. Though we observed an inhibitory effect of PEMF on acute inflammatory cytokine expression, a consistent effect was not observed for acute changes in disc histology and anabolic and catabolic factor expression. Therefore, these findings should be further investigated in studies of longer duration following needle-stab injury.

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HEK293 cell response to static magnetic fields via the radical pair mechanism may explain therapeutic effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields.

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HEK293 cell response to static magnetic fields via the radical pair mechanism may explain therapeutic effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields.

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