Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

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

Published in: J Cell Biochem 2006; 99 (1): 168-177

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields affect certain cellular functions and immunologic parameters of mouse macrophages.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 45 min
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 45 or 90 min, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 or 48 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 45 min
Additional info horizontally polarized
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber A Helmholtz coil system which was described previously [Rollwitz et al., 2004] was situated in a 37°C humidified incubator with 5% CO2.
Setup Cell culture plates were placed in the center of the Helmholtz system or in a control incubator.
Additional info Exposure to 1 µg/ml LPS or 1 µM TPA was used as positive control.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.05 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 0.1 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 0.5 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 1 mT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 45 or 90 min, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 or 48 h
Additional info horizontally polarized
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Rollwitz J et al. (2004): Fifty-hertz magnetic fields induce free radical formation in mouse bone marrow-derived promonocytes and macrophages

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. 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:

Study funded by

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