Cited by 440Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsMagnetic and Electromagnetic EffectsBiofield Effects and Biophysics

Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects

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Pall, Martin L.·2013·Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Abstract

The direct targets of extremely low and microwave frequency range electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in producing non-thermal effects have not been clearly established. However, studies in the literature, reviewed here, provide substantial support for such direct targets. Twenty-three studies have shown that voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) produce these and other EMF effects, such that the L-type or other VGCC blockers block or greatly lower diverse EMF effects. Furthermore, the voltage-gated properties of these channels may provide biophysically plausible mechanisms for EMF biological effects. Downstream responses of such EMF exposures may be mediated through Ca(2+) /calmodulin stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis. Potentially, physiological/therapeutic responses may be largely as a result of nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway stimulation. A well-studied example of such an apparent therapeutic response, EMF stimulation of bone growth, appears to work along this pathway. However, pathophysiological responses to EMFs may be as a result of nitric oxide-peroxynitrite-oxidative stress pathway of action. A single such well-documented example, EMF induction of DNA single-strand breaks in cells, as measured by alkaline comet assays, is reviewed here. Such single-strand breaks are known to be produced through the action of this pathway. Data on the mechanism of EMF induction of such breaks are limited; what data are available support this proposed mechanism. Other Ca(2+) -mediated regulatory changes, independent of nitric oxide, may also have roles. This article reviews, then, a substantially supported set of targets, VGCCs, whose stimulation produces non-thermal EMF responses by humans/higher animals with downstream effects involving Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide increases, which may explain therapeutic and pathophysiological effects.

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  • Different electromagnetic field frequencies have the potential to activate voltage-gated calcium channels, leading to varied effects.

    “Pall (2013) compared different electromagnetic field frequencies, noting their potential to activate voltage-gated calcium channels, leading to varied effects.”
  • Two theories have been proposed for how electromagnetic fields modulate Cav2+ channels: depolarization of the cell membrane, and direct action on the charged residues in the voltage-sensing S4 segment adjacent to the pore.

    “To answer the first question, two theories have been proposed for how electromagnetic fields modulate Cav2+ channels: (1) by depolarization of the cell membrane, which is typically employed in mechanism of action explanations of voltage-gated ion channels such as Nav+, Kv+, and Cav2+ [48] and (2) by direct action on the charged residues in the voltage-sensing S4 segment adjacent to the pore that”

    From Permeabilizing Cell Membranes with Electric Fields (2021) · cites this paper as [48]

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  1. [41]Schidt-Rohlfing B Silny J Gavenis K Electromagnetic fields, electric current and bone healing – what is the evidence? Z Orthop Unfall 2011 149 265 70 21259192

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Authors
Pall, M. L.
Affiliations
Washington State University (US)
Corresponding author
Pall, Martin L.
Venue
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-06-26
Volume
17
Issue
8
Pages
958-965
ISSN
  • 1582-1838 (ISSN-L)
  • 1582-4934
OpenAlex
W2119857404
Cited by
440
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 44 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 5
FWCI
3.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
Keywords
extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, voltage-gated calcium channels, non-thermal biological effects, L-type calcium channel blockers, nitric oxide production, calmodulin, bone growth stimulation, peroxynitrite, oxidative stress, single-strand breaks, alkaline comet assay, calcium signaling
MeSH terms
Animals, Electromagnetic Fields, Humans, Osteogenesis, Calcium Channels, Signal Transduction, Ion Channel Gating, DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded

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