Electromagnetic fields promote severe and unique vascular calcification in an animal model of ectopic calcification

Electromagnetic fields promote severe and unique vascular calcification in an animal model of ectopic calcification

Shuvy M, Abedat S, Beeri R, Valitzki M, Stein Y, Meir K, Lotan C. Electromagnetic fields promote severe and unique vascular calcification in an animal model of ectopic calcification. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2014 Sep;66(7):345-50. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2014.05.001. Epub 2014 May 29.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on cardiovascular calcification is unknown. We sought to evaluate the effects of EMF on vascular calcification in normal rats and in rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) - a condition which promotes calcification.

METHODS: We used four groups of rats: group 1 - exposed to EMF, group 2 - not exposed to EMF, group 3 - rats with CKD exposed to EMF, group 4 - rats with CKD not exposed to EMF. In order to induce CKD, groups 3 and 4 rats were fed with a uremia-inducing diet. Groups 1 and 3 rats were continuously exposed to EMF using a system similar to an electrical transformer, which consists of a primary coil, a ferrite ring, and a secondary coil. The system transmitter emitted a series of exponentially decaying electromagnetic sine waves (continuous exposure with pulsed peaks) in randomly selected frequencies between 150 and 155 kHz, with random exposure intensities between 4 and 7 mG. Clinical investigations included multislice computed tomography of the aortic roots. Pathological examinations of the aortas included histological characterization, and antigen expression analyses.

RESULTS: No calcification was found in either group of rats with normal kidney function. Aortic root calcification was significantly higher in rats exposed to EMF (group 3) compared with group 4 rats - with a mean Agatston score of 138 ± 25 vs. 80 ± 20 respectively (p<0 .05="" 3="" 4.="" along="" although="" antigen="" aortic="" as="" br="" calcification="" circular="" compared="" decreased="" examination="" expression="" formed="" group="" in="" increased="" it="" length="" markers="" massive="" media.="" noticed="" of="" osteoblast="" pathological="" pattern="" rats.="" rats="" rings="" showed="" significantly="" the="" unique="" was="" with="">
CONCLUSIONS: EMF exposure may have potential harmful effects on the cardiovascular system, as it promotes severe vascular calcification in CKD miliue.

http://1.usa.gov/1DIHKRf

Excerpts

The biological effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a major concern in western world, however, data regarding these effects are still limited. Furthermore data regarding the potential cardiovascular effects of EMF are even more limited.

Ectopic cardiovascular calcification is a process that resembles skeletal bone formation, however, it occurs in different parts of the cardiovascular system – such as blood vessels and valvular tissue. This highly regulated process involves activation of osteoblasts and bone related protein expression, which lead to ectopic bone formation (Johnson et al., 2006). Cardiovascular calcification is associated with the development of a number of clinically significant complications, including myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, valvular disease, and congestive heart failure (Beadenkopf et al., 1964, Loecker et al., 1992 and Giachelli, 1999).

The system transmitter is an electric device that connects to power via 50 Hz AC ELF. The transmitter emits a series of exponentially decaying electromagnetic sine waves, i.e. a continuous signal with pulsed peaks, of randomly selected frequencies between 150 and 155 kiloHertz (kHz), in random exposure intensities varying between 4 and 7 milliGauss (mG) measured inside the cage, at a distance of 5–40 cm from the transmitter.

Our findings are relevant to Public Health since susceptible members of the general public are often located within environments that have physical characteristics and exposures similar to our study environment: seated inside tubular-shaped metallic cabins in which there is continuous or pulsed wave exposure to EMFs of varying frequencies; for example, when people are seated inside a train, a bus or an aircraft, in which wireless electromagnetic devices are used.

Further research is required in a wider range of frequency bands, pulsed and non-pulsed fields and varying distance from the body.

We have shown for the first time that EMFs promote vascular calcification in an animal model of CKD while no effects on calcification in rats with normal kidney function were seen. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is still unknown, although it seems that the classic activation of osteoblast is not part of this calcification pattern. Given the potential public health effects of widespread use and exposure to EMFs in the general population, this novel observation must be evaluated in further experimental models as well as in clinical trials.

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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

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