Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

A Study on the Effects of 50 Hz Magnetic Fields on UV-induced Radical Reactions in Murine Fibroblasts med./bio.

By: Markkanen A, Naarala J, Juutilainen J
Published in: J Radiat Res 2010; 51 (5): 609-613
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To test the hypothesis that the "radical pair mechanism" (i.e. magnetic field effect on recombination of radical pairs) explains previous findings (Markkanen et al. 2001, Kumlin et al. 2002 and Kumlin et al. 1998) indicating that 50 Hz magnetic fields of about 100 µT modify biological responses to ultraviolet radiation. In the present study, the effects of 50 Hz magnetic field on cellular oxidative processes induced by UV radiation (240 J/m²) were investigated.

Background/further details

Cells were exposed to the magnetic field (100 or 300 µT) during a 1 h UV exposure or for 24 h before it. Unexposed control samples and cell cultures that were exposed to UV radiation alone were also included.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h
simultaneous exposure to UV and EMF
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h

General information

Cells were exposed i) to EMF and UV for 1 h simultaneously ii) to EMF for 24 h before a 1 h UV exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 h
Additional info simultaneous exposure to UV and EMF
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup UV lamp placed under the flasks; two coils, 340 mm x 460 mm placed 220 mm apart, put in an incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 µT minimum measured - background MF
magnetic flux density 2 µT maximum measured - background MF
magnetic flux density 48 µT minimum measured - static geomagnetic field
magnetic flux density 54 µT maximum measured - static geomagnetic field
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 300 µT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Additional info UV exposure after EMF exposure
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two coils, 340 mm x 460 mm placed 220 mm apart, put in an incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.02 µT minimum measured - during the 100 µT exposure
magnetic flux density 1.8 µT maximum measured - during the 100 µT exposure
magnetic flux density 0.11 µT minimum measured - during the 300 µT exposure
magnetic flux density 3 µT maximum measured - during the 300 µT exposure
magnetic flux density 48 µT minimum measured - static geomagnetic field
magnetic flux density 54 µT maximum measured - static geomagnetic field
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 300 µT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Markkanen A et al. (2001): Effects of 50 Hz magnetic field on cell cycle kinetics and the colony forming ability of budding yeast exposed to ultraviolet radiation

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant magnetic field effects were found. The data do not support the hypothesis that the effect of 100-300 µT magnetic fields on the recombination of radical pairs (as predicted by the radical pair mechanism) modifies biological responses to UV radiation by causing an overall change in oxidative reactions at cellular level.

Study character:

Study funded by

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