Mitochondria can be regarded as the cell’s environmental stress sensors, functioning in a biologically adaptive manner [26]. The concept of mitohormesis describes an adaptive mechanism in which low levels of oxidative stress trigger beneficial survival and regenerative responses, whereas high levels of oxidative stress impair cell growth and viability [71]. Since magnetic fields are known to stimulate mitochondrial respiration, they can be leveraged as a non-invasive means of inducing mitohormetic responses—an effect referred to as Magnetic Mitohormesis.
In general, Magnetic Mitohormesis is known as a noninvasive therapeutic approach that employs impulse controlled electromagnetic fields to stimulate muscle tissue, replicating many of the metabolic benefits of physical exercise. This technique is particularly promising for individuals with type 2 diabetes or central obesity, as it activates exercise-like metabolic pathways that may enhance glucose regulation without requiring physical exertion.
Historically, magnetic exposure protocols have often been developed without considering the underlying mechanisms of mitohormesis, leading to inconsistent results across similar studies. However, when mitohormetic principles are taken into account, exposure parameters can be purposefully optimized for specific outcomes. For example, we recently demonstrated that stronger magnetic stimulation can selectively inhibit breast cancer growth through the same molecular pathways [72].
Consequently, impulse controlled electromagnetic field-based therapeutic approaches can be tailored to either promote regeneration or suppress pathological growth, depending on factors such as exposure duration, amplitude, frequency, and the tissue’s inflammatory state. Incorporating mitohormetic principles is therefore essential for the rational design of effective impulse controlled electromagnetic field-based clinical treatments.
References
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Cheng YW, Liu J, Finkel T. Mitohormesis. Cell Metabolism. Volume 35, Issue 11 P1872-1886 November 07, 2023. Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. CellPress. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.011
Palmeira CM, Teodoro JS, Amorim JA, Steegborn C, Sinclair DA, Rolo AP. Mitohormesis and metabolic health: The interplay between ROS, cAMP and sirtuins. Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Sep;141:483-491. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.07.017. Epub 2019 Jul 24. PMID: 31349039; PMCID: PMC6718302.
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