Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Magnetic Fields on Anticancer Drugs Potency med./bio.

By: Kakikawa M, Yamada S

Published in: IEEE Trans Magn 2012; 48 (11): 2869-2872

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of an acute exposure of Escherichia coli to 60 Hz magnetic fields with different strengths on the cytotoxic potency and membrane permeability of two anti-cancer drugs should be investigated.

Background/further details

The investigated drugs were mitomycin C and cisplatin. An enhancing effect of a 60 Hz magnetic field with 50 mT on the cytotoxic potency of mitomycin C had already been observed in previous tests by the authors (no reference). Changes in the membrane permeability depending on the magnetic flux density were assumed as the underlying mechanism of action.

Endpoint

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability

Exposure

- 60 Hz
- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 6 h	magnetic flux density: 50 mT magnetic flux density: 30 mT magnetic flux density: 5 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	60 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 6 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s)
Setup	the temperature within the experimental area was controlled by circulating water at 36°C
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	50 mT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	30 mT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	5 mT	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

bacterium
Escherichia coli/W3110

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: membrane permeability (indirect determination; supernatants of exposed/not exposed E. coli were taken and added to E. coli cultures without exposure) (quantification of colony forming units)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability, survival rate (quantification of colony forming units)

Investigated system:

bacterium

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A significant decrease of the cell viability was found in tests with both drugs and simultaneous exposure to the magnetic field compared to approaches without magnetic field exposure. This was interpreted as an increase of the cytotoxic potency of the drugs. The strongest effect in tests with mitomycin C was observed for a magnetic flux density of 50 mT. The tests with the supernatants of the tests above showed a significantly reduced potency of the approaches with magnetic field exposure compared to the supernatants without exposure. This was interpreted as an increased intracellular and decreased extracellular concentration of both drugs in tests with magnetic field exposure, which was explained by a significantly increased membrane permeability.
The authors conclude that an acute exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields with 50 mT increases the membrane permeability and thus the uptake of mitomycin C and cisplatin in E. coli which leads to a enhancement of their cytotoxic potency.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan

Sanie-Jahromi F et al. (2016): Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field and cisplatin on mRNA levels of some DNA repair genes
Baharara J et al. (2016): Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field sensitizes cisplatin-resistant human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells via P53 activation
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