Protective effect of 1950 MHz electromagnetic field in human neuroblastoma cells challenged with menadione

Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 5;8(1):13234. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31636-7.

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether a 1950 MHz radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field could protect human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against a subsequent treatment with menadione, a chemical agent inducing DNA damage via reactive oxygen species formation. Cells were pre-exposed for 20 h to specific absorption rate of either 0.3 or 1.25 W/kg, and 3 h after the end of the exposure, they were treated with 10 µM menadione (MD) for 1 h. No differences were observed between sham- and RF-exposed samples. A statistically significant reduction in menadione-induced DNA damage was detected in cells pre-exposed to either 0.3 or 1.25 W/kg (P < 0.05). Moreover, our analyses of gene expression revealed that the pre-exposure to RF almost inhibited the dramatic loss of glutathione peroxidase-based antioxidant scavenging efficiency that was induced by MD, and in parallel strongly enhanced the gene expression of catalase-based antioxidant protection. In addition, RF abolished the MD-dependent down-regulation of oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, which is a critical DNA repairing enzyme. Overall, our findings suggested that RF pre-exposure reduced menadione-dependent DNA oxidative damage, most probably by enhancing antioxidant scavenging efficiency and restoring DNA repair capability. Our results provided some insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the RF-induced adaptive response in human neuroblastoma cells challenged with menadione.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects*
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects*
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Humans
  • Neuroblastoma / etiology
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / radiation effects
  • Protective Factors
  • Radiofrequency Therapy*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects
  • Transcriptional Activation / radiation effects
  • Vitamin K 3 / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vitamin K 3