A role of cryptochrome for magnetic field-dependent improvement of sleep quality, lifespan, and motor function in Drosophila.

Understanding the molecular genetic basis of animal magnet reception has been one of the big challenges in molecular biology. Recently it was discovered that the magnetic sense of Drosophila melanogaster is mediated by the ultraviolet (UV)-A/blue light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry). Here, using the fruit fly as a magnet-receptive model organism, we show that the magnetic field exposure (0.4-0.6 mT) extended lifespan under starvation, but not in cryptochrome mutant flies (cryb ). The magnetic field exposure increases motor function in wild type and neurodegenerative disease model flies. Furthermore, the magnetic field exposure improved sleep quality at night-time specific manner, but not in cryb . We also showed that repeated AC magnetic field exposure increased climbing activity in wild-type Drosophila, but not in cryb . The data suggests that magnetic field-dependent improvement of lifespan, sleep quality, and motor function is mediated through a cry-dependent pathway in Drosophila.

A 50 Hz magnetic field affects hemodynamics, ECG and vascular endothelial function in healthy adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Application of exposure to 50/60 Hz magnetic fields (MFs) has been conducted in the treatment of muscle pain and fatigue mainly in Japan. However, whether MFs could increase blood flow leading to muscle fatigue recovery has not been sufficiently tested. We investigated the acute effects of a 50 Hz sinusoidal MF at Bmax 180 mT on hemodynamics, electrocardiogram, and vascular endothelial function in healthy young men. Three types of regional exposures to a 50 Hz MF, i.e., forearm, upper arm, or neck exposure to MF were performed. Participants who received three types of real MF exposures had significantly increased ulnar arterial blood flow velocity compared to the sham exposures. Furthermore, after muscle loading exercise, MF exposure recovered hemoglobin oxygenation index values faster and higher than sham exposure from the loading condition. Moreover, participants who received real MF exposure in the neck region had significantly increased parasympathetic high-frequency activity relative to the sham exposure. The MF exposure in the upper arm region significantly increased the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation compared to the sham exposure. Computer simulations of induced in situ electric fields indicated that the order-of-magnitude estimates of the peak values were 100-500 mV/m, depending on the exposure conditions. This study provides the first evidence that a 50 Hz MF can activate parasympathetic activity and thereby lead to increase vasodilation and blood flow via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (CTR) UMIN000038834. The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this drug/intervention are registered.