Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields do not induce DNA damage in human lens epithelial cells in vitro med./bio.

By: Zhu K, Lv Y, Cheng Q, Hua J, Zeng Q

Published in: Anat Rec 2016; 299 (5): 688-697

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The genotoxic effects of exposure of human lens epithelial cells to a 50 Hz magnetic field should be investigated.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks

Exposure

- 50 Hz
- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h or 48 hours	magnetic flux density: 0.4 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h or 48 hours

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s)
Chamber	two chambers with two identical coil systems placed inside a cell culture incubator
Setup	temperature was constantly monitored and controlled and differences between two chambers were <0.1°C; the external computer controlling system enabled application of blind method
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	one coil in one chamber was connected in-phase to generate the magnetic field for exposure, while there was an opposite phase connection in another chamber for sham exposure

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.4 mT	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Chen Y et al. (2014): Power frequency magnetic fields induced reactive oxygen species-related autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts
Schuderer J et al. (2004): In vitro exposure apparatus for ELF magnetic fields

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
human lens epithelial cells (HLEC)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA double-strand breaks (immunofluorescence stain of gamma-H2AX, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry; gamma-H2AX protein expression, Western Blot); DNA single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks (alkaline comet assay)
molecular biosynthesis: total protein content (reference for Western Blot; Bradford protein assay)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
DNA/RNA
intact cell/cell culture
cell extracts

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences in DNA single-strand breaks or double-strand breaks were detected in exposed cells compared to cells of the control group regardless of the exposure duration.
The authors conclude that there were no genotoxic effects of exposure of human lens epithelial cells to a 50 Hz magnetic field.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), China
National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC), China

Lv Y et al. (2021): Exposure to 50 Hz Extremely-Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields Induces No DNA Damage in Cells by Gamma H2AX Technology
Mun GI et al. (2015): Effects of 60-Hz magnetic fields on DNA damage responses in HT22 mouse hippocampal cell lines
Yoon HE et al. (2014): Increased gamma-H2AX by exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation, but not hydrogen peroxide, in non-tumorigenic human cell lines
Jin YB et al. (2014): Absence of DNA damage after 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression
Kim J et al. (2012): Time-varying magnetic fields of 60 Hz at 7 mT induce DNA double-strand breaks and activate DNA damage checkpoints without apoptosis
Kim J et al. (2010): Repetitive exposure to a 60-Hz time-varying magnetic field induces DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in human cells
Burdak-Rothkamm S et al. (2009): DNA and chromosomal damage in response to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields
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Ivancsits S et al. (2003): Age-related effects on induction of DNA strand breaks by intermittent exposure to electromagnetic fields
Ivancsits S et al. (2002): Induction of DNA strand breaks by intermittent exposure to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields in human diploid fibroblasts
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