Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Gene expression profiling of human endothelial cells exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields fails to produce regulated candidate genes med./bio.

Published in: Cell Stress Chaperones 2006; 11 (3): 227-232

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To address the question of a possible effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields on living systems, gene expression analyses were performed on human primary vascular endothelial cells exposed to magnetic fields of various intensities.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 60 min on - 30 min off for 24 h
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: intensity changed every 30 min for 3 h - left at the same intensity for 12 h - intensity changed every 30 min for 9 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 60 min on - 30 min off for 24 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 700 µT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 700 µT - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration intensity changed every 30 min for 3 h - left at the same intensity for 12 h - intensity changed every 30 min for 9 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 30 µT maximum measured - -

Reference articles

  • Henderson B et al. (2003): Progression of arteriovenous bypass restenosis in mice exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field
  • Henderson BR et al. (2003): Expression levels of heat shock protein 60 in human endothelial cells in vitro are unaffected by exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Although in individual experiments genes were identified where the expression appeared to be affected by exposure, none of these genes were regulated in the same manner in subsequent repetition experiments. The lack of a reproducible effect of the magnetic field on the expression of any genes adds further weight to the evidence that 50 Hz magnetic fields are not capable of interacting with biological systems and thus do not represent an endothelial stress factor.

Study character:

Study funded by

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