Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Co-exposure of ELF-magnetic fields and chemical mutagens: An investigation of genotoxicity with the SOS-based VITOTOX test in Salmonella typhimurium med./bio.

By: Verschaeve L, Wambacq S, Anthonissen R, Maes A

Published in: Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2016; 795: 31-35

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The genotoxic effects of exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field alone and in combination with different chemical mutagens should be investigated in a bacterial assay.

Background/further details

Co-exposures to the magnetic field and the 4 following chemical mutagens with different modes of action were investigated: methyl methanesulfonate (0.1 mM and 1 mM), cis-platinum (0.01 and 0.1 mM), Aflatoxine B1 (0.1 and 1 µg/ml) and 2-amino-anthracene (0.25 and 2.5 µg/ml).
Tests were performed with and without addition of S9 mix (enzyme mix from rat liver) for metabolic activation.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: genotoxic response of Salmonella typhimurium

Exposure

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

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 1 hour	magnetic flux density: 100 µT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 hour

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s)
Chamber	microtiter plates
Setup	exposures were performed in a cylindrical exposure unit (380-turn coil, 42 cm long, 20 cm inner diameter) at 37°C ± 0.5°C; the plates were placed in the middle of the coil
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	100 µT	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Verschaeve L et al. (2011): Genotoxicity investigation of ELF-magnetic fields in Salmonella typhimurium with the sensitive SOS-based VITOTOX test
Maes A et al. (2000): Cytogenetic effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields of different magnetic flux densities

Exposed system:

bacterium
Salmonella typhimurium/TA-104-recN2-4 (with luciferase gene and recN promoter: produces light when DNA is damaged) & TA104-pr1 (with lux gene under a constitutive promoter: light production not influenced by genotoxic compounds (internal control))

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: genotoxic response (SOS response) of Salmonella typhimurium (VITOTOX test: light emission measurement every 5 min. for 4 h)

Investigated system:

bacterium

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure to the magnetic field alone did not show any genotoxic effects and in co-exposure with different chemical mutagens, it did not change the genotoxic effects of the mutagens.
The authors conclude that exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field has no genotoxic effects and does not influence genotoxicity induced by chemical mutagens in a bacterial assay.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Belgian BioElectroMagnetic Group (BBEMG), Belgium

Burgos-Molina AM et al. (2020): Effect of low frequency magnetic field on efficiency of chromosome break repair
Verschaeve L et al. (2011): Genotoxicity investigation of ELF-magnetic fields in Salmonella typhimurium with the sensitive SOS-based VITOTOX test
Ruiz-Gomez MJ et al. (2010): Effect of 2.45 mT sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic field on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains deficient in DNA strand breaks repair
Ruiz-Gomez MJ et al. (2010): No evidence of cellular alterations by MilliTesla-level static and 50 Hz magnetic fields on S. cerevisiae
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2009): Genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells exposed to extremely low frequency electro-magnetic fields: a meta-analysis of data from 87 publications (1990-2007)
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2008): Genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation: a meta-analysis of data from 63 publications (1990-2005)
Williams PA et al. (2006): 14.6 mT ELF magnetic field exposure yields no DNA breaks in model system Salmonella, but provides evidence of heat stress protection
Nakasono S et al. (2000): A 50 Hz, 14 mT magnetic field is not mutagenic or co-mutagenic in bacterial mutation assays
Maes A et al. (2000): Cytogenetic effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields of different magnetic flux densities
Morandi MA et al. (1996): Lack of an EMF-induced genotoxic effect in the Ames assay
Tabrah FL et al. (1994): Enhanced mutagenic effect of a 60 Hz time-varying magnetic field on numbers of azide-induced TA100 revertant colonies
Alipov YD et al. (1994): Systemic reaction of E. coli cells to weak electromagnetic fields of extremely low frequency