Effect of 50-Hz Magnetic Fields on Serum IL-1β and IL-23 and Expression of BLIMP-1, XBP-1, and IRF-4

Abstract

Overview

Investigations have shown that magnetic fields (MFs) can adjust the production of cytokines and the expression of certain genes related to the immune system. These changes might disturb the immune system's functionality and potentially lead to various diseases.

Findings

• The study focused on the effect of 50-Hz MFs on two significant inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-23, during pre- and post-immunization phases.
• It also studied the effects on gene expressions crucial for humoral immunity: BLIMP-1, XBP-1, and IRF-4, specifically in the post-immunization phase.
• Experiments were conducted on eighty adult male rats divided into four experimental groups and a control, with exposures to varying densities of magnetic flux (1, 100, 500, and 2000 μT) for two hours daily over two months.
• The results include measurements of cytokine levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expressions via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
• Key findings include a decrease in IL-1β levels with 1 and 100 μT MF exposure in the pre-immunization phase and an increase in IL-23 in the post-immunization phase at 100 μT.
• Exposure to 100 μT also showed downregulation in the expression of BLIMP-1, XBP-1, and IRF-4.

Conclusion

Exposure to 50-Hz MFs may lower inflammation in the short run and elevate it with longer exposures. Additionally, such exposure may weaken the humoral immune responses, particularly at lower densities (100 μT). This study underscores the sensitivity of the immune system to alterations induced by electromagnetic fields and suggests potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure.