Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Influence of a 7 mT Static Magnetic Field and Iron Ions on Apoptosis and Necrosis in Rat Blood Lymphocytes med./bio.

Published in: J Occup Health 2001; 43 (6): 379-381

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether the oxidative DNA damage caused by simultaneous exposure of rat lymphocytes to a 7 mT static magnetic field and iron ions may lead to cell death: apoptosis or necrosis.

Background/further details

In previous studies the authors have shown that simultaneous exposure of rat lymphocytes to 7 mT magnetic field and iron ions caused a significant increase in the number of cells with DNA damage, and that melatonin, an established free radical scavenger, provides protection against that DNA damage (see publication 4790 and publication id 8598).
Part of the samples were treated with ferrous chloride (10 µg/ml), and the rest served as controls.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: continuous for 3 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 3 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Lymphocyte suspensions were exposed to MF in a small water bath at 37°C which was placed inside the coils. The magnetic field at the location of the suspensions was highly hemogeneous. Identical water bath with control samples was placed outside the coils.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 7 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data indicate that exposure to 7 mT static magnetic field combined with simultaneously treated iron ions significantly enhances cell death 18 h after exposure. This effect was not caused by either static magnetic field or ferrous ions alone.
The authors suggest that weak static magnetic fields, due to radical pairs mechanism for this field, may increase the oxidative DNA damage due to iron compounds, by stimulating free radical reactions involving reactive oxygen species, and thus influence cell death.

Study character:

Study funded by

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