Calcium homeostasis and low-frequency magnetic and electric field exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies

• Published in: Environment international 2016-07, Vol.92-93, p.695-706
• Main Authors: Golbach, Lieke A., Portelli, Lucas A., Savelkoul, Huub F.J., Terwel, Sofie R., Kuster, Niels, de Vries, Rob B.M., Verburg-van Kemenade, B.M.Lidy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Calcium - physiology; Calcium oscillations; Electricity - adverse effects; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Homeostasis - radiation effects; Humans; Imposed magnetic field; Induced electric field; Intracellular calcium; LF EMF; Magnetic Fields - adverse effects; Risk of bias
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.014

Low frequency magnetic field (LF MF) exposure is recurrently suggested to have the ability to induce health effects in society. Therefore, in vitro model systems are used to investigate biological effects of exposure. LF MF induced changes of the cellular calcium homeostasis are frequently hypothesised to be the possible target, but this hypothesis is both substantiated and rejected by numerous studies in literature. Despite the large amount of data, no systematic analysis of in vitro studies has been conducted to address the strength of evidence for an association between LF MF exposure and calcium homeostasis. Our systematic review, with inclusion of 42 studies, showed evidence for an association of LF MF with internal calcium concentrations and calcium oscillation patterns. The oscillation frequency increased, while the amplitude and the percentage of oscillating cells remained constant. The intracellular calcium concentration increased (SMD 0.351, 95% CI 0.126, 0.576). Subgroup analysis revealed heterogeneous effects associated with the exposure frequency, magnetic flux density and duration. Moreover, we found support for the presence of MF-sensitive cell types. Nevertheless, some of the included studies may introduce a great risk of bias as a result of uncontrolled or not reported exposure conditions, temperature ranges and ambient fields. In addition, mathematical calculations of the parasitic induced electric fields (IEFs) disclosed their association with increased intracellular calcium. Our results demonstrate that LF MF might influence the calcium homeostasis in cells in vitro, but the risk of bias and high heterogeneity (I2>75%) weakens the analyses. Therefore any potential clinical implications await further investigation. •First systematic review that links electromagnetic exposure (EMF) to altered calcium homeostasis•EMF exposure could induce a small increase of intracellular calcium.•Exposure characteristics and cell type are indicators for the effect size.•Uncontrolled induced electric fields (IEFs) are strongly associated with intracellular calcium.