Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cytogenetic effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields of different magnetic flux densities med./bio.

By: Maes A, Collier M, Vandoninck S, Scarpa P, Verschaeve L

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2000; 21 (8): 589-596

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vitro study was performed to investigate possible (co-)mutagen effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field in human blood lymphocytes and their dose dependent reponse.

Background/further details

The lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of 21 healthy male and female donors and they were exposed to magnetic field alone or in combination with the mutagen mitomycin C (0.1 µg/ml) or X-rays co-exposed.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberration, sister chromatid exchange

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: during entire cultivation time EMF exposure only	magnetic flux density: 2,500 µT maximum (62.8, 80, 88.4, 504, 1061, 1750, 2500 µT)
Exposure 2: 50 Hz Exposure duration: 30 min up to entire cultivation period EMF exposure + MMC	magnetic flux density: 1,750 µT maximum (88.4, 504, 1061, 1750 µT)
Exposure 3: 50 Hz Exposure duration: entire cultivation period EMF + X-rays; x-irradiation prior to cultivation	magnetic flux density: 1,750 µT maximum (88.4, 504, 1061, 1750 µT)
Exposure 4: 50 Hz Exposure duration: 2 h continuous EMF + X-rays; first exposure to EMF, then to X-rays, then 48 h cultivation	magnetic flux density: 1,750 µT maximum (80, 504, 1060, 1750 µT)

General information

Experiments were done in three groups: i) EMF exposure only ii) EMF exposure + Mitomycin C iii) EMF exposure + X-rays

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	during entire cultivation time
Additional info	EMF exposure only

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s) cylindrical exposure unit: 42 cm long, 20 cm inner diameter
Setup	380 turns of 1 mm² wire
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	2,500 µT	maximum	measured	-	62.8, 80, 88.4, 504, 1061, 1750, 2500 µT

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	30 min up to entire cultivation period
Additional info	EMF exposure + MMC
Additional info	the following combinations where examined (were x stands for the applied magnetic field strength): i) 0 µT + 0 µg/ml MMC (sham) ii) 0 µT + 0.1 µg/ml MMC (cells were exposed to MMC for 2 h prior to cell cultivation) iii) 0 µT + 0.1 µg/ml MMC (cells were exposed during the entire cultivation time) iv) x µT (30 min before cultivation) + 0 µg/ml MMC v) x µT (30 min before cultivation) + 0.1 µg/ml MMC (during cultivation) vi) x µT (during cultivation time) + 0 µg/ml MMC vii) x µT (during cultivation time) + 0.1 µg/ml MMC (only for 2 h before cultivation) viii) x µT + 0.1 µg/ml MMC (both during cultivation time)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1,750 µT	maximum	measured	-	88.4, 504, 1061, 1750 µT

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	entire cultivation period
Additional info	EMF + X-rays; x-irradiation prior to cultivation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Additional info	x-irradiation: 1 Gy per min

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1,750 µT	maximum	measured	-	88.4, 504, 1061, 1750 µT

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	2 h continuous
Additional info	EMF + X-rays; first exposure to EMF, then to X-rays, then 48 h cultivation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1,750 µT	maximum	measured	-	80, 504, 1060, 1750 µT

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
human lymphocytes

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberration, sister chromatid exchange (Giemsa stain of metaphases, light microscopy)

Investigated system:

DNA/RNA

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at seven different magnetic flux densities alone did not significantly influence the chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange frequency.
In general a co-mutagen effect was not observed in co-exposed cells. However, co-exposed cells (mitomycin C treated, at 504 µT) before and during cell cultivation showed a statistically significant decrease in sister chromatid exchange frequency. Also, when cells were cultivated in the presence of a magnetic field at 88.4 µT following X-ray exposure, there was a significant increase in chromosome aberration frequency compared to X-ray exposure alone.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Electrable, Belgium

Verschaeve L et al. (2016): Co-exposure of ELF-magnetic fields and chemical mutagens: An investigation of genotoxicity with the SOS-based VITOTOX test in Salmonella typhimurium
Maes A et al. (2015): The Cytome Assay as a Tool to Investigate the Possible Association Between Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields and an Increased Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Jin YB et al. (2014): Absence of DNA damage after 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression
Cho S et al. (2014): Enhanced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of gadolinium following ELF-EMF irradiation in human lymphocytes
Jin YB et al. (2012): Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression
Verschaeve L et al. (2011): Genotoxicity investigation of ELF-magnetic fields in Salmonella typhimurium with the sensitive SOS-based VITOTOX test
Celikler S et al. (2009): A biomonitoring study of genotoxic risk to workers of transformers and distribution line stations
Erdal N et al. (2007): Cytogenetic effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on Wistar rat bone marrow
Wahab MA et al. (2007): Elevated sister chromatid exchange frequencies in dividing human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields
Hone P et al. (2006): Chromatid damage in human lymphocytes is not affected by 50 Hz electromagnetic fields
Stronati L et al. (2004): Absence of genotoxicity in human blood cells exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields as assessed by comet assay, chromosome aberration, micronucleus, and sister chromatid exchange analyses
Testa A et al. (2004): Evaluation of genotoxic effect of low level 50 Hz magnetic fields on human blood cells using different cytogenetic assays
Verheyen GR et al. (2003): Effect of coexposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields and an aneugen on human lymphocytes, determined by the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay
Cho YH et al. (2003): The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the frequency of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange in human lymphocytes induced by benzo(a)pyrene
Hone P et al. (2003): Possible associations between ELF electromagnetic fields, DNA damage response processes and childhood leukaemia
Skyberg K et al. (2001): Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of employees in transformer and generator production exposed to electromagnetic fields and mineral oil

Cytogenetic effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields of different magnetic flux densities med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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