Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Enhancement in the ATP level and antioxidant capacity of Caenorhabditis elegans under continuous exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field for multiple generations med./bio.

By: Wang Y, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Li Z, Zhang H, Liao Y, Tang C, Cai P

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 96 (12): 1633-1640

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of chronic exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field over multiple generations on growth, metabolism and antioxidant capacity in nematodes should be investigated.

Background/further details

Eggs from Caenorhabditis elegans of the parental generation were collected and divided into an exposure group and a control group. The hatched individuals were recorded as the first filial generation (F1) and when they laid eggs, these were collected and placed in the same environment as the F1 generation. After hatching, these individuals were defined as the second filial generation (F2). This process was continued until the F15 generation.
Test were conducted with worms form different generations. Each test was repeated three times.

Endpoint

morphol./histopathol. changes: body length
molecular biosynthesis: ATP metabolism and antioxidative capacity

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuously for up to the 15th generation	magnetic flux density: 3 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuously for up to the 15th generation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Helmholtz coils
Setup	two coaxial Helmholtz coils generated a uniform magnetic field in the central experimental area; the coil was wrapped around a condensation water pipe to take away the heat generated during operation; the whole device was placed in an incubator and the temperature was monitored and controlled at 20±0.1°C

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	3 mT	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Sun Y et al. (2019): Lipidomic alteration and stress-defense mechanism of soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in response to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure

Exposed system:

invertebrate
nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans)/wild type (strain N2)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

morphol./histopathol. changes: body length (with F1, F5, F10 and F15 worms at 60 h; microscopy)
molecular biosynthesis: ATP metabolism: ATP content (via luciferase reaction with consumption of ATP; commercial kit), enzyme activity (colorimetry) and gene expression of ATPase (r53. 4, hpo-18, atp-5, unc-32, atp-3-genes, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR); antioxidative capacity: content of ROS (via dichlorodihydrofluorescein, commercial kit), total antioxidant capacity (commercial kit), enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (spectrophotometry) and catalase (colorimetry), gene expression of SOD (sod-1, sod-2, sod-3-genes, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR) (all with F1 and F15 worms)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
complete worms, homogenates and extracts

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Body length of exposed F15 worms increased significantly compared to the control group. ATP content and ATPase activity were significantly increased in exposed F15 worms compared to the control group. The gene expression levels of the r53.4, hpo-18, atp-5, unc-32 and atp-3 genes were significantly upregulated in exposed F15 worms compared to the control group. In addition, SOD activity increased significantly and the gene expression levels of the sod-1, sod-2, and sod-3 genes were also significantly upregulated in exposed F15 worms compared to the control group.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field over multiple generations might increase growth, metabolism and antioxidant capacity in nematodes.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, China

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