Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on in-vitro cellular cultures HeLa and CHO med./bio.

By: Restrepo AF, Tobar VE, Camargo RJ, Franco E, Pinedo CR, Gutierrez O
Published in: 2016 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), Orlando, FL, USA. IEEE, 2016: pp. 4193-4196; ISBN 978-1-4577-0220-4
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on cell proliferation of two different cell lines.

Background/further details

In a pre test, HeLa cells and CHO cells were exposed one-time to investigate the best exposure condition. Twelve 6-well plates were used, one for every exposure condition (five magnetic flux densities and two exposure directions) and two control groups. Cell counting was done one hour after exposure.
In the main test, the same cell lines were exposed repetitively for 40 minutes every twelve hours for four days. For control cells, cell counting was done at the beginning, after twelve hours and at the end of the four days. For exposed cells, cell counting was done every 24 hours.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuously for 40 minutes
pre test
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuously for 40 minutes every 12 hours for 4 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuously for 40 minutes
Additional info pre test
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber the 6-well plates were placed in the center of the Helmholtz coil
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.4 mT minimum unspecified - parallel and perpendicular
magnetic flux density 1.4 mT - unspecified - parallel and perpendicular
magnetic flux density 2.13 mT - unspecified - parallel and perpendicular
magnetic flux density 2.49 mT - unspecified - parallel and perpendicular
magnetic flux density 2.53 mT maximum unspecified - parallel and perpendicular

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuously for 40 minutes every 12 hours for 4 days
Additional info main test
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.49 mT - unspecified - parallel

Reference articles

  • Restrepo AF et al. (2013): [Design study for a cellular culture bioreactor coupled with a magnetic stimulation system]
  • Moncada ME et al. (2012): Computational 3D model of in-vitro cell stimulated by electric and magnetic fields
  • Zhou J et al. (2011): Effects of 50 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic fields of different intensities on proliferation, differentiation and mineralization potentials of rat osteoblasts
  • Raylman RR et al. (1996): Exposure to strong static magnetic field slows the growth of human cancer cells in vitro

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the pre test, the mean proliferation rate was found to be highest with 2.49 mT and parallel exposure.
In the main test, exposed HeLa cells and CHO cells proliferated stronger than the respective control cells after four days.
(remark EMF-Portal: no significance given for all results)
The authors conclude that exposure of HeLa cells and CHO cells to 50 Hz magnetic field could increase the proliferation rate.

Study character:

Study funded by

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