title: Modulation of redox status and calcium handling by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in C2C12 muscle cells: A real-time, single-cell approach.
abstract: The biological effects of electric and magnetic fields, which are ubiquitous in modern society, remain poorly understood. Here, we applied a single-cell approach to study the effects of short-term exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on muscle cell differentiation and function using C2C12 cells as an in vitro model of the skeletal muscle phenotype. Our focus was on markers of oxidative stress and calcium (Ca(2+)) handling, two interrelated cellular processes previously shown to be affected by such radiation in other cell models. Collectively, our data reveal that ELF-EMFs (1) induced reactive oxygen species production in myoblasts and myotubes with a concomitant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential; (2) activated the cellular detoxification system, increasing catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities; and (3) altered intracellular Ca(2+)homeostasis, increasing the spontaneous activity of myotubes and enhancing cellular reactivity to a depolarizing agent (KCl) or an agonist (caffeine) of intracellular store Ca(2+)channels. In conclusion, our data support a possible link between exposure to ELF-EMFs and modification of the cellular redox state, which could, in turn, increase the level of intracellular Ca(2+)and thus modulate the metabolic activity of C2C12 cells.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Physiology Lab, Center for Research on Ageing, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovetta
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bizzarri
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fanò
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mariggiò
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002118:Calcium