Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Magnetic fields protect from apoptosis via redox alteration med./bio.

Published in: Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1090: 59-68

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vitro study was performed to investigate the effects of a static magnetic field and an extremely low frequency magnetic field on intracellular oxidation-reduction, and the eventual relationship between magnetic field exposure, oxidative alteration, and apoptosis in human cancer cells.

Background/further details

In a previous study (publication 300) the exposure of the same cell line to a static magnetic field showed a decrease in apoptosis by increasing magnetic flux density. Here, the influence of magnetic field exposure through intracellular oxidation-reduction on apoptosis should be examined.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: 2 h, 4 h, 72 h
Exposure 2:
Exposure duration: 2 h, 4 h, 72 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration 2 h, 4 h, 72 h
Additional info for further information see reference article
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup cell cultures exposed to magneic field inside the Faraday cage
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.07 mT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 0.1 mT maximum measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration 2 h, 4 h, 72 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup magnets were placed under the culture petri dish
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.6 mT - calculated - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The static magnetic field caused a strong increase of reactive oxygen species. After 2 hours of magnetic field exposure a significant decrease of intracellular glutathione levels was found and maintained thereafter, up to 72 hours.
The extremely low frequency magnetic field significantly decreased intracellular glutathione levels starting from a threshold at 0.09 mT.
Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field revealed an anti-apoptotic effect. The treshold for the anti-apoptotic effect corresponded with the treshold necessary to induce oxidation-reduction imbalance. Apoptosis was not affected by the exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field in cells artificially deprived of glutathione.
The extremely low frequency magnetic field and the static magnetic field seem to exert a similar effect in terms of apoptosis, but they differ clearly in their thresholds: 0.6 mT for the static magnetic field and 0.09 mT for the extremely low frequency magnetic field.

Study character:

Study funded by

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