Proteomic analysis in human fibroblasts by continuous exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Abstract

Most people are Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF). A number of studies have indicated association between exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and a variety of cancers. Recently some therapeutic techniques such as repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been used to study localization of brain function, connectively of brain regions and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders (rTMS utilize low frequency-electromagnetic field). Here, the effect of continuous ELF electromagnetic fields (3 Hz, sinusoidal, 3 h and 4 mT) on the protein expression of human fibroblast cells is investigated via proteomics. The comparison of the 2-DE separated proteins from the exposed and sham (control) cells showed that some protein expressions are affected by radiation. The two proteins that their expression are reduced about 50% are determined as alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) and Transthyretin (TTR). As it is reported that the amounts of these proteins reduced in the pathological conditions it can be concluded that application of ELF-EMF in therapeutic aspects may be to accompanying with their side effects. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.