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Magnetic fields modulate metabolism and gut microbiome in correlation with Pgc-1α expression: Follow-up to an in
Yee Kit Tai1,2, Charmaine Ng1, Kristy Purnamawati1,2
1Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
Exercise modulates metabolism and the gut microbiome. Brief exposure to low mT-range pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) was previously shown to accentuate in vitro myogenesis and mitochondriogenesis by activating a calcium-mitochondrial axis upstream of PGC-1α transcriptional upregulation, recapitulating a genetic response implicated in exercise-induced metabolic adaptations. We compared the effects of analogous PEMF exposure (1.5 mT, 10 min/week), with and without exercise, on systemic metabolism and gut microbiome in four groups of mice: (a) no intervention; (b) PEMF treatment; (c) exercise; (d) exercise and PEMF treatment. The combination of PEMFs and exercise for 6 weeks enhanced running performance and upregulated muscular and adipose Pgc-1α transcript levels, whereas exercise alone was incapable of elevating Pgc-1α levels. The gut microbiome Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased with exercise and PEMF exposure, alone or in combination, which has been associated in published studies with an increase in lean body mass. After 2 months, brief PEMF treatment alone increased Pgc-1α and mitohormetic gene expression and after >4 months PEMF treatment alone enhanced oxidative muscle expression, fatty acid oxidation, and reduced insulin levels. Hence, short-term PEMF treatment was sufficient to instigate PGC-1α-associated transcriptional cascades governing systemic mitohormetic adaptations, whereas longer-term PEMF treatment was capable of inducing related metabolic adaptations independently of exercise.
Insights
Pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) combined with exercise enhance running performance and PGC-1α levels. Short-term PEMF treatment alone also improves metabolic adaptations and gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Molecular biology
- Microbiome research
Background:
- Exercise and pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) influence metabolism and the gut microbiome.
- PEMFs can activate a calcium-mitochondrial axis, mimicking exercise-induced genetic responses.
- PGC-1α is a key regulator of metabolic adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of PEMF exposure, with and without exercise, on systemic metabolism and gut microbiome in mice.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of PEMFs and exercise on PGC-1α expression and running performance.
- To determine the long-term metabolic effects of PEMF treatment alone.
Main Methods:
- Mice were divided into four groups: no intervention, PEMF treatment, exercise, and combined exercise and PEMF treatment.
- PEMF exposure was administered at 1.5 mT for 10 minutes per week for 6 weeks.
- Measurements included running performance, Pgc-1α transcript levels, gut microbiome composition (Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio), and metabolic markers.
Main Results:
- Combined PEMFs and exercise significantly enhanced running performance and upregulated muscular and adipose Pgc-1α levels.
- Exercise alone did not elevate Pgc-1α levels.
- Both exercise and PEMF exposure, individually or combined, decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.
- Short-term PEMF treatment alone increased PGC-1α and mitohormetic gene expression.
- Longer-term PEMF treatment alone improved oxidative muscle expression, fatty acid oxidation, and reduced insulin levels.
Conclusions:
- PEMF treatment, particularly in combination with exercise, can significantly improve metabolic health and performance.
- PEMFs can initiate PGC-1α-associated transcriptional cascades, leading to systemic mitohormetic adaptations.
- Long-term PEMF exposure can induce metabolic adaptations independently of exercise, suggesting therapeutic potential.
