Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Electromagnetic fields with frequencies of 5, 60 and 120 Hz affect the cell cycle and viability of human fibroblast BJ in vitro med./bio.

Published in: J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2017; 31 (3): 725-730

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of human fibroblasts to extremely low frequency pulsed and continuous magnetic fields on cell cycle and cell viability should be investigated.

Background/further details

Cells were divided into the following groups: 1) exposure to a continuous 5 Hz magnetic field, 2) exposure to a continuous 60 Hz magnetic field, 3) exposure to a continuous 120 Hz magnetic field, 4) exposure to a pulsed 5 Hz magnetic field, 5) exposure to a pulsed 60 Hz magnetic field, 6) exposure to a pulsed 120 Hz magnetic field, 7) control group for 5 Hz magnetic fields, 8) control group for 60 Hz magnetic fields, 9) control group for 120 Hz magnetic fields. One plate was examined per run and group and each experiment was repeated 16 times. All groups were examined directly after exposure and 24 hours after exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours
Exposure 2: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours
Exposure 3: 120 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours
Exposure 4: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours
Exposure 5: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours
Exposure 6: 120 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info continuous wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Chamber 96-well plate
Setup the magnetic field was created by a generator; one plate was exposed at a time; the temperature was maintained at 37°C
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info continuous wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 120 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info continuous wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info pulsed wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposure 5

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info pulsed wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposure 6

Main characteristics
Frequency 120 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 hours
Additional info pulsed wave
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2.5 mT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure to the pulsed magnetic fields (groups 4-6) resulted in a significantly decreased cell viability directly and 24 hours after exposure compared to the respective control groups. In the continuous exposure groups, only exposure to the 120 Hz magnetic field (group 3) showed a significatly decreased cell viability directly and 24 hours after exposure compared to the control group. A continuous exposure to the 60 Hz magnetic field (group 2) had no significant effect on cell viability and exposure to the 5 Hz continuous field induced a significant increase in cell viability 24 hours after exposure compared to the control group.
Cell cycle analysis showed significant differences in all exposure groups compared to the control groups and at all time points, except for exposure to the pulsed 5 Hz magnetic field (group 4) 24 hours after exposure.
The authors conclude that exposure of human fibroblasts to extremely low frequency pulsed and continuous magnetic fields might affect the cell cycle progression and cell viability, while the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear.

Study character:

Study funded by

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