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Abstract
Purpose: With all-pervasive presence of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) in modern life, ELF-EMF has been regarded as an essential factor which may induce changes in many organisms. The objective of the present study was to investigate the physiological responses of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to 50 Hz, 3 mT ELF-EMF exposure.
Materials and methods: Worms were exposed to ELF-EMF from the egg stage until reaching the fourth larva (L4) stage. After exposure, expressions of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Two lipid metabolites were detected by GC-MS. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dichlorofluorescein staining and worm antioxidant system was investigated by enzymatic activity analysis, including detection of the superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activity and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC).
Results: The TCA cycle enzyme, fumarase was found with decreased expression under ELF-EMF exposure. And arachidonic acid (ArA) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) showed elevated concentrations, with increased expression of prostaglandin E2 synthase (PGES-2) in ELF-EMF exposed worms. Significant elevation of ROS level was identified accompanied with the significant depression of T-AOC in response to ELF-EMF.
Conclusions: Our results suggested that exposure to 50 Hz, 3 mT ELF-EMF in C. elegans can elicit disruptions of the TCA cycle metabolism and PGE2 formation, coupling ELF-EMF-induced oxidative stress responses. Our study probably will attract increasing attentions to the controllable application of ELF-EMF associated with health and disease.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
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Notes on contributors
Yongyan Sun
Yongyan Sun joined physical environment group as a PhD candidate under supervision of Dr. Peng Cai in Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her PhD project focuses on investigating the mechanisms of ELF-EMF effects on energy metabolism by using model animals.
Zhenhua Shi
Zhenhua Shi is a bioelectrochemistry researcher in the Environmental Bioelectrochemistry Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. He focuses on studying molecular mechanisms of electromagnetic radiation effects on electron transport chain of microorganisms.
Yahong Wang
Yahong Wang is now a master degree candidate at physical environment group of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2016 until 2019. She is now mainly studying the biological effects of electromagnetic field.
Chao Tang
Chao Tang is now a reseacher at physical environment group of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is mainly studying the effects of electromagnetic field on photosynthesis and electromagnetic environment monitoring.
Yanyan Liao
Yanyan Liao is a reseacher in Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is familiar with methods of exposure toxicology and has interests on the toxicological effects of new pollutants.
Chuanjun Yang
Chuanjun Yang is a reseacher in Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a PhD of Applied Physics. He is mainly responsible for the construction and daily maintenance of electromagnetic exposure equipments.
Peng Cai
Peng Cai is the head of physical environment group of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a member of The Bioelectromagnetics Society.