Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Syrian hamster dermal cell immortalization is not enhanced by power line frequency electromagnetic field exposure med./bio.

By: Gamble SC, Wolff H, Arrand JE

Published in: Br J Cancer 1999; 81 (3): 377-380

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vitro study was performed to investigate the effects of electromagnetic fieds on the cell immortalization of hamster dermal cells in the presence or absence of a known carcinogen (gamma radiation, at 0.5 or 1.5 Gy)

Background/further details

Syrian hamster dermal cells were chosen as investigated cell line as they show very low frequency of spontaneous immortalization. Cell immortalization can be a sign of tumor initiation.
The cells were exposed to electromagnetic fields at the levels commonly encountered in the home.

Endpoint

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell immortalization, cell survival

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 60 h	magnetic flux density: 44 µT (DC superimposed for earth MF) magnetic flux density: 1,000 µT maximum magnetic flux density: 100 µT magnetic flux density: 10 µT minimum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	60 h

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	solenoid solenoids wound on perspex tubes
Chamber	2 identical insulated chambers with munetal shielding
Setup	ten 75 cm² tissue culture flasks in a levelled carrier within solenoid

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	44 µT	-	cf. remarks	-	DC superimposed for earth MF
magnetic flux density	1,000 µT	maximum	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	100 µT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	10 µT	minimum	measured	-	-

Additional parameter details

0.5 or 1.5 Gy (at 1.09 Gy/min)

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
SHD (syrian hamster dermal) cells

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell immortalization, cell survival (frequency of immortalized colonies)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The electromagnetic field exposure alone did not cause cell immortalization in the investigated cell line. Furthermore the electromagnetic fields exposures did not enhance the frequency of ionizing radiation-induced immortalization.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study, randomized

Study funded by

EMF Biological Research Trust (EMFBRT), UK

Heredia-Rojas JA et al. (2001): Cytological effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on human lymphocytes in vitro: sister-chromatid exchanges, cell kinetics and mitotic rate
Ding GR et al. (2001): Increase in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene mutations by exposure to electric field
Supino R et al. (2001): Sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic fields do not affect structural morphology and proliferation of human cells in vitro
Loberg LI et al. (2000): Cell viability and growth in a battery of human breast cancer cell lines exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields
Yaguchi H et al. (1999): Effect of high-density extremely low frequency magnetic field on sister chromatid exchanges in mouse m5S cells
Walleczek J et al. (1999): Increase in radiation-induced HPRT gene mutation frequency after nonthermal exposure to nonionizing 60 Hz electromagnetic fields
Miyakoshi J et al. (1996): Increase in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene mutations by exposure to high-density 50-Hz magnetic fields
Balcer-Kubiczek EK et al. (1996): Rodent cell transformation and immediate early gene expression following 60-Hz magnetic field exposure
Balcer-Kubiczek EK et al. (1991): Neoplastic transformation of C3H/10T1/2 cells following exposure to 120-Hz modulated 2.45-GHz microwaves and phorbol ester tumor promoter
Whitson GL et al. (1986): Effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields on cell growth and DNA repair in human skin fibroblasts