Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic field exposure on apoptosis and differentiation in a neuroblastoma cell line med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2003; 24 (7): 510-516

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of an electromagnetic field (50 Hz, 1 mT) on apoptosis and differentiation in a human neuroblastoma cell line in vitro.

Background/further details

The positive control consisted of x rays radiated cells.
Moreover, cells were co-exposed to electromagnetic field and chemical agents (proliferation inhibitor retinoic acid and topoisomerase inhibitor camptothecin) to study interference with these cell proliferation inhibitors. Camptothecin was applied in five different concentrations: 6, 12, 25, 50, and 100 ng/ml.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 7 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 7 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Samples were placed in the center of the coil system, which was located in a cell incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT - measured - 75 V/m

Reference articles

  • Kirschvink JL (1992): Uniform magnetic fields and double-wrapped coil systems: improved techniques for the design of bioelectromagnetic experiments

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No alterations were found in apoptosis, but a significant increase in the proliferation index was observed after seven days of continuous exposure.
Also, a slight and transient increase of B-myb oncogene expression was detected after five days of exposure. No changes were found in N-myc expression during whole exposure period.
Cell proliferation has decreased with retinoic acid treatment compared to control group (normal conditions of growth). This decrease is significantly inhibited after three days exposure to electromagnetic field compared to sham exposure.
Cell proliferation in cells treated with camptothecin was reduced compared to control group (no camptothecin). After one day exposure to electromagnetic field the proliferation rate was significant higher in electromagnetic field exposed compared to sham exposed cells. Additionally, electromagnetic field inhibited camptothecin induced apoptosis at concentrations of 25 and 50 ng/ml.

Study character:

Study funded by

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