Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Do Not Elicit Oxidative Stress in MCF10A Cells med./bio.

By: Hong MN, Han NK, Lee HC, Ko YK, Chi SG, Lee YS, Gimm YM, Myung SH, Lee JS
Published in: J Radiat Res 2012; 53 (1): 79-86
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields could affect intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and antioxidant enzyme activity.

Background/further details

Cells were investigated at 10, 24 or 48 h following exposure. For the positive control group, cells were exposed to 0.5, 2 or 4 Gy of gamma radiation and investigated 48 h following exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h

General information

Cells were divided into three different groups: i) sham exposure group ii) experimental group exposed to ELF-MF iii) positive control group exposed to gamma radiation

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber exposure system was kept in an incubator at 37°C (±3°C); size of Petri dishes: 100 mm
Setup field generator consisted of four square-shaped coils and one cage with three testing floors
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info magnetic field shielding system using ferrite material was adopted to shield strong magnetic fields in the outer of the exposure system
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT maximum measured and calculated - fixed value at the center of the middle floor
Additional parameter details

voltage fluctuation rate and harmonic rate of power quality were under 1%; spatial variation of magnetic field was under 3%

Measurement and calculation details

magnetic field distribution was calculated at the middle floor; fields at various other points were measured

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The cells exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields did not show any statistically significant changes in the investigated parameters as compared to the sham exposed control. Gamma radiation exposed cells exhibited marked changes in reactive oxygen species level (increase), superoxide dismutase enzyme activity (increase), and GSH/GSSG ratio (decrease). Additionally, only the gamma radiation exposed cells were positive for morphological changes and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity.
The authors conclude that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure has no effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species level, superoxide dismutase activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio under these exposure conditions.

Study character:

Study funded by

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