Changes in miR-21, -138, -141, -135 expression and apoptosis/necrosis levels in HCT116 colon cancer cells under 50 Hz ELF-EMF exposure at 0.4 and 0.8 mT

PAPER manual Electromagn Biol Med 2026 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Very low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2026.2635039 PMID: 41731933 Evidence Lab

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on colorectal cancer cells. HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells were exposed to an electromagnetic field under various conditions encompassing three variables: time (9 and 18 hours), field intensity (0.4 and 0.8 milliTesla), and continuity (continuous and discontinuous), resulting in eight distinct irradiated groups alongside control groups (untreated cancer cells). The levels of apoptosis and necrosis in the different groups were measured and compared using flow cytometry. Furthermore, changes in the expression of miR-21, miR-141, miR-135, and miR-138 were evaluated using RT-qPCR, with the results indicating a significant alteration in the expression of these microRNAs under exposure to electromagnetic fields. Considering previous studies on the effects of these microRNA expressions in cancer cells and our study's findings, the observed expression changes under our applied irradiation conditions - specifically, the downregulation of miR-135 and miR-21, and the upregulation of miR-141-suggested a positive role in controlling and suppressing tumor growth and cancer cells. Conversely, the downregulation of miR-138 appeared to be a negative factor. Additionally, flow cytometry results demonstrated an increase in the rates of apoptosis and necrosis under the employed electromagnetic fields.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

HCT116 colorectal carcinoma (colon cancer) cells

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF · 9 and 18 hours; continuous and discontinuous exposure

Evidence strength

Very low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

HCT116 cells exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 0.4 or 0.8 mT (9 or 18 h; continuous or discontinuous) showed significant alterations in miR-21, miR-141, miR-135, and miR-138 expression. Flow cytometry indicated increased apoptosis and necrosis rates under the electromagnetic field conditions.

Outcomes measured

Apoptosis levels (flow cytometry)
Necrosis levels (flow cytometry)
miR-21 expression (RT-qPCR)
miR-141 expression (RT-qPCR)
miR-135 expression (RT-qPCR)
miR-138 expression (RT-qPCR)

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or tumors in vivo
Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract
Statistical details and effect sizes for apoptosis/necrosis and miRNA changes not provided in the abstract
Multiple exposure conditions (time, intensity, continuity) are described, but condition-specific results are not detailed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "9 and 18 hours; continuous and discontinuous exposure"
    },
    "population": "HCT116 colorectal carcinoma (colon cancer) cells",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Apoptosis levels (flow cytometry)",
        "Necrosis levels (flow cytometry)",
        "miR-21 expression (RT-qPCR)",
        "miR-141 expression (RT-qPCR)",
        "miR-135 expression (RT-qPCR)",
        "miR-138 expression (RT-qPCR)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "HCT116 cells exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 0.4 or 0.8 mT (9 or 18 h; continuous or discontinuous) showed significant alterations in miR-21, miR-141, miR-135, and miR-138 expression. Flow cytometry indicated increased apoptosis and necrosis rates under the electromagnetic field conditions.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or tumors in vivo",
        "Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract",
        "Statistical details and effect sizes for apoptosis/necrosis and miRNA changes not provided in the abstract",
        "Multiple exposure conditions (time, intensity, continuity) are described, but condition-specific results are not detailed in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "0.4 mT",
        "0.8 mT",
        "HCT116",
        "colorectal cancer",
        "apoptosis",
        "necrosis",
        "microRNA",
        "miR-21",
        "miR-135",
        "miR-138",
        "miR-141",
        "RT-qPCR",
        "flow cytometry"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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