Laura E. Rodríguez-Flores

Effect of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on the activity of hsp70 promoter: an in vivo study

Exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) results in a number of important biological changes, including modification of genetic expression. We have investigated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal EMFs at a magnetic flux density of 80 μT on the expression of the luciferase gene contained in a plasmid labelled as pEMF (EMF plasmid). This gene construct contains the specific sequences for the induction of hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) expression by EMFs, as well as the reporter for the luciferase gene. The pEMF vector was electrotransferred into quadriceps muscles of BALB/c mice that were later exposed to EMFs. Increased luciferase expression was observed in mice exposed to EMFs 2 h daily for 7 days compared with controls (P<0.05). These data along with other reports in the literature suggest that EMFs can have far-reaching effects on the genome.

Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis: trophozoite growth inhibition by metronidazole electro-transferred water.

The influence of low-frequency electromagnetic (LF-EM) waves on microorganisms has been a subject of experimental investigations for more than two decades and the results are promising. In parallel, an interesting procedure known as biophysical-information-therapy or bioresonance therapy (BRT) which in principle is based on LF-EM stimulation, has emerged. BRT was discovered in the late 1980s but it is still poorly studied. This paper demonstrates that by transferring metronidazole information to water samples by an electronic amplifier (BRT device), the growth of axenically cultured trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonasvaginalis is significantly inhibited, compared with those cultures treated with non and sham electro-transferred water samples. A positive control of metronidazole, a well-known cytotoxic drug against parasites, was used as a reference.

Modified Natural Clinoptilolite Detoxifies Small Mammal’s Organism Loaded with Lead I. Lead Disposition and Kinetic Model for Lead Bioaccumulation

Zeolites, especially clinoptilolites, have wide application in removing heavy metals from different solutions and wastewater. The detoxification capacity of the clinoptilolite sorbent KLS–10-MA, a modified natural Bulgarian zeolite, applied as a food supplement in conditions of an ecotoxicological experiment with conventional food and lead was demonstrated for the first time. Laboratory mice, inbred imprinting control region strain, were used in a 90-day ecotoxicological experiment. Animals were divided into four experimental groups. Lead bioaccumulations in exposed and non-supplemented/supplemented with KLS–10-MA animals were compared. As additional control, healthy animals non-exposed to Pb were fed with conventional forage mixed with 12.5% KLS–10-MA. The dietary inclusion of the sorbent reduced Pb concentrations in exposed and supplemented mice by 84%, 89%, 91%, 77%, and 88% in carcass, liver, kidneys, bones, and feces, respectively. A mathematical model was proposed to outline the common trends of bone Pb bioaccumulation in exposed and non-supplemented/supplemented animals. Characteristic parameters of the kinetics of Pb concentrations were determined. Based on the model, the coefficient of absorption of Pb by gastrointestinal mucosa in the supplemented mice was found—η = 3.53% (versus η = 15% in non-supplemented ones). The present study clearly indicates that there is a realistic perspective to create a new drug based on modified natural clinoptilolites in cases of chronic heavy metal intoxication, without negatively affecting the environment.

Effect of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on the activity of hsp70 promoter: An in vitro study

We have evaluated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) at 8 and 8 μT on expression of the luciferase gene contained in a gene construct labelled as Electromagnetic Field‐plasmid (pEMF). The vector included the hsp70 promotor containing the 3 nCTCTn sequences previously described for the induction of hsp70 expression by magnetic fields, as well as the reporter of the luciferase gene. We also replicated the study of Lin et al. [Lin H, Blank M, Rossol‐Haseroth K, Goodman R. Regulating genes with electromagnetic response elements. J Cell Biochem 2001;81(1):143–48]. The pEMF plasmid was transfected into HeLa and BMK16 cell lines that were later exposed to either MF or thermal shock (TS). An increased luciferase expression was found in both the cells exposed to MF and TS compared with their control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the combined effect of MF and TS was also analyzed. A synergistic effect between two factors was observed for this co‐exposure condition in terms of luciferase gene expression.

Detection of a novel stem cell probably involved in normal turnover of the lung airway epithelium

Regeneration of the lung airway epithelium after injury has been extensively studied. In contrast, analysis of its turnover in healthy adulthood has received little attention. In the classical view, this epithelium is maintained in the steady‐state by the infrequent proliferation of basal or Clara cells. The intermediate filament protein nestin was initially identified as a marker for neural stem cells, but its expression has also been detected in other stem cells. Lungs from CD1 mice at the age of 2, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months were fixed in neutral‐buffered formalin and paraffin‐embedded. Nestin expression was examined by an immunohistochemical peroxidase‐based method. Nestin‐positive cells were detected in perivascular areas and in connective tissue that were in close proximity of the airway epithelium. Also, nestin‐positive cells were found among the cells lining the airway epithelium. These findings suggest that nestin‐positive stem cells circulate in the bloodstream, transmigrate through blood vessels and localize in the lung airway epithelium to participate in its turnover. We previously reported the existence of similar cells able to differentiate into lung chondrocytes. Thus, the stem cell reported here might be a bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMDMSC) able to generate several types of lung tissues. In conclusion, our findings indicate that there exist a BMDMSC in healthy adulthood that participates in the turnover of the lung airway epithelium. These findings may improve our knowledge about the lung stem cell biology and also provide novel approaches to therapy for devastating pulmonary diseases.

Entamoeba invadens: influence of 60 Hz magnetic fields on growth and differentiation.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields appears to result in a number of important biological changes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) at magnetic flux densities of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mT on growth and differentiation of the protozoan Entamoeba invadens. We demonstrated an inhibitory growth effect when trophozoite cultures were exposed to 1.5 and 2.0 mT. Furthermore, we found that there was not a synergistic effect in cultures co-exposed to MF and Metronidazole, a cytotoxic drug against amoebic cells. In addition, MF exposure inhibited the encystation process of E. invadens.

Promoter Activation with Electromagnetism

Gene expression can be modified by physical factors, such as heat, electricity and magnetic fields , and several types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Promoter activation with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields is possible with an appropriate promoter, containing electromagnetic field response elements. Here, we describe how to examine promoter activation with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, and we provide a step-by-step guide to the assembly of a solenoid suitable for promoter activation.