Effect of electromagnetic field at low intensity on primary nervous cell cultures

In previous our experiments, we showed that a brief exposure of rat primary astroglial cell cultures to RF electromagnetic field (EMF) modulated, with a frequency of 50 Hz, in amplitude, induced oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. We also demonstrated that this is not a thermic effect. Up today the mechanism of this effect is not well clarified. We hypothized that it may be related to the increase of intracellular calcium ions levels, probably due to the hyperstimulation of the glutamate receptors, which play a crucial role in the acute and chronic brain damage including neurodegerative diseases (Alzhèimer and Parkinson Diseases) Furthermore, since it has been reported that a reduced functionality of olfactory bulb represents an early sign of neurodegeneration, we assessed the effect of RF electromagnetic field modulated and not modulated in amplitude on Olfactory Easheating Cells (OECs). This cell type shows characteristics of stem cells, expresses several markers, is able to promote axonal regeneration and functional restoration in the injured of Central Nervous System. Preliminary experiments showed that a brief exposure to EMF induce an increase in cellular viability and a significant difference between cell cultures exposed to RF modulate and not modulated. Studies are now in progress to better understand the molecular mechanisms induced by EMF on neurotransmitters activation, including glutamate.