Elf Electromagnetic Fields Affect Gene Expression of Hegenerating Rat Liver Following Partial Hepatectomy

Abstract

Pulsed extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-PEMFs) influence the expression of oncogenes c-myc and c-ras and of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the regenerating rat liver following partial hepatectomy. In fact, while the mRNA's encoding both oncogenes are present in very low amounts in the normal liver, their concentration is dramatically increased during regeneration. Ornithine decarboxylase and c-myc mRNA's reach a maximum during the early phases of regeneration (3 hours after surgery) and decrease thereafter. c-ras mRNA reaches a maximum 40 hours after the operation. Treatment with ELF-PEMFs delivered to the animals immediately after the operation and every 12 hours thereafter increases The concentration of both oncogenes and of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA' s at 3 hours (c-myc and ODC) and at 40 hours (c-ras) respective-ty.

Key Words:

• pulsed electromagnetic fields
• liver regeneration
• gene expression
• ornithine decarboxylase
• c-myc
• v-ras