Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMFs) on glioblastoma cells (U87) med./bio.

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2017; 36 (3): 238-247

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of glioblastoma cells to a pulsed extremely low frequency magnetic field on cell cycle, apoptosis and cell viability should be investigated in view of a possible use in cancer therapy.

Background/further details

Cells were divided into the following groups: exposure to a magnetic field with 1) 50 Hz/10 mT, 2) 100 Hz/10 mT, 3) 10 Hz/5 mT, 4) 50 Hz/5 mT and 5) control group. Each group was investigated after 2, 4 and 24 hours of exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Exposure 2: 100 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Exposure 3: 10 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 4 and 24 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Additional info pulsed and/or continuous square waves (?)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cell culture flasks or plates with 96 wells were placed between two identical coils in a vertical field: each coil was boxed in a plexiglass chamber with dimensions of 160 x 160 x 50 mm3 by maintaining a coaxial distance of 40 mm; cooling water system around coils avoided temperature rise; cells were always placed on the same shelves of the cell culture incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - ± 1.5 mT

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 100 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Additional info pulsed and/or continuous square waves (?)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - ± 1.5 mT

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 10 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Additional info pulsed and/or continuous square waves (?)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - measured - ± 1 mT

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2, 4 and 24 hours
Additional info pulsed and/or continuous square waves (?)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - measured - ± 1 mT

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The most distinct effects were found after 24 hours of exposure. Here, the cell viability and Cyclin-D1 protein expression were significantly increased in group 1 compared to the control group, while they were significantly decreased in groups 2 and 3. Protein expression of P53 and Caspase-3 was significantly increased in group 2 after 24 hours compared to the control group.
Cell morphology showed significant alterations in groups 1-3 after 24 hours compared to the control group with decreased mass, increased cell surface and changed shape.
The authors conclude that exposure of glioblastoma cells to a pulsed extremely low frequency magnetic field may alter cell cycle, apoptosis and cell viability depending on exposure duration, field frequency and intensity.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles