Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia Growth Alterations by Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields med./bio.

By: Rodríguez-de la Fuente AO, Gomez-Flores R, Heredia-Rojas JA, García-Muñoz EM, Vargasvillarreal J, Hernández-García ME, Gonzálezsalazar F, Garza-González JN, Beltcheva M, Heredia-Rodríguez O
Published in: Iran J Parasitol 2019; 14 (4): 652-656
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field on growth of two human parasite protozoans should be investigated.

Background/further details

The parasite protozoans Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia were investigated in view of a potential therapeutic use in antimicrobial treatments. The following groups were used (27 cultures per group): 1) exposure to the magnetic field, 2) control group, 3) treatment of cells with Metronidazole (a well-known anti-parasite drug) at 0.14 μg/ml for T. vaginalis and 0.56 μg/ml for G. lamblia as positive controls, 4) co-exposure of cells to the magnetic field and Metronidazole.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 72 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 72 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup the exposure device comprised a coil that was built by winding 340 turns of 1.3 mm diameter enamel insulated copper wire to form a cylindrical solenoid with a radius of 5.27 cm and a length of 25 cm; the frequency content of the magnetic field was nearly pure 60 Hz (<3% total harmonic distortion); a plastic separator was placed inside the solenoid to allow the placement of cultures in predetermined zones where the magnetic field was homogeneous
Additional info exposure started when cells reached the end of logarithmic phase
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2 mT effective value measured - -
Additional parameter details

the ambient magnetic field background level was < 0.8 μT and the geomagnetic field average value was 20 mT (remark EMF-Portal: probably typo and 20 µT was meant) within the exposure room

Reference articles

  • Heredia-Rojas JA et al. (2001): Cytological effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on human lymphocytes in vitro: sister-chromatid exchanges, cell kinetics and mitotic rate

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In T. vaginalis, exposure to the magnetic field (group 1) signficantly reduced the number of cells compared to the control group (group 2). In G. lamblia, however, exposure to the magnetic field significantly increased the number of cells compared to the control group. In both protozoa, treatment with Metronidazole (group 3) significantly decreased the number of cells compared to the control group and there were no significant differences compared to the Metronidazole and magnetic field co-exposure group (group 4). This indicated an absence of a synergistic or antagonistic effect.
The authors conclude that exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field might affect growth in two human parasite protozoans but without indications for a therapeutic use.

Study character:

Study funded by

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