Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Alteration in cellular functions in mouse macrophages after exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
To study whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields affect certain cellular functions and immunologic parameters of mouse macrophages.

Endpoint

• phagocytotic activity; interleukin-1β production; genotoxicity; free radical production

Exposure
General category: magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC)

Field characteristics	Parameters
field 1: 50 Hz exposure duration: continuous for 45 min	magnetic flux density: 0.05 mT magnetic flux density: 0.1 mT magnetic flux density: 0.5 mT magnetic flux density: 1 mT
field 2: 50 Hz exposure duration: continuous for 45 or 90 min, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 or 48 h	magnetic flux density: 1 mT

Exposed system:
intact cell/cell culture (in vitro)

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: micronucleus formation
• molecular biosynthesis: interleukin-1β (ELISA) production; free radical production (as marker for cell activation in macrophage precursor cells/in CD11b+ positive cells; dihydrorhodamine assay; fluorescence measurement)
• cell function: phagocytotic activity (uptake of latex beads; differential interference contrast microscopy)
• cell viability/cell division/proliferation: number of mitotic cells
• others: characterization of surface antigens (CD11b+; flow cytometry)

Main outcome of study (according to author)
Magnetic field exposure led to an increased phagocytic activity (1.6-fold increased) compared to controls.
An increased interleukin-1β release in macrophages after 24 h exposure (1.0 mT) was revealed. Time-dependent interleukin-1β formation was significantly increased already after 4 h and reached a maximum of 12.3-fold increase after 24 h compared to controls.
The data showed no significant differences in micronucleus formation or irregular mitotic activities in exposed cells.
All tested magnetic flux densities (ranging from 0.05 up to 1.0 mT for 45 min) significantly stimulated the formation of free radicals.
In conclusion, the authors demonstrated the capacity of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields to stimulate physiological cell functions in mouse macrophages shown by the significantly elevated phagocytic activity, free radical release, and interleukin-1β production suggesting the cell activation capacity of these magnetic fields in the absence of any genotoxic effects.

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, full/main study)

Study funded by

• VERUM Foundation (Stiftung für Verhalten und Umwelt), Germany

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