Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Enhanced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of gadolinium following ELF-EMF irradiation in human lymphocytes med./bio.

Published in: Drug Chem Toxicol 2014; 37 (4): 440-447

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the toxicity of gadolinium in human lymphocytes.

Background/further details

The chemical element gadolinium with the atomic number 64 is used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging. Gadolinium is known to be toxic. However, the combined effects of gadolinium and extremely low frequency magnetic fields, as patients are exposed to during magnetic resonance imaging, have not been investigated by now.
Human lymphocytes were treated with different concentrations of gadolinium (0 mM (control group), 0.2 mM, 0.4 mM, 0.8 mM, 1.2 mM) while exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field or sham exposed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for up to 72 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for up to 72 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two identical, electrically coupled solenoid coils (length 0.30 m, diameter 0.15 m) were wound with 350 turns/m of number-16 bifilar magnet wire on a cylindrical acrylic support; uniformity of the magnetic field in the active exposure volume was ± 2.5%; no significant temperature variations were observed during sham exposure and magnetic field exposure (37 ± 0.5°C)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info sham exposed cultures were tested before the experiments with the same exposure system but with the power supply switched off
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.8 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Walleczek J et al. (1999): Increase in radiation-induced HPRT gene mutation frequency after nonthermal exposure to nonionizing 60 Hz electromagnetic fields

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Lymphocytes which were treated with gadolinium showed a time-dependent and concentration-dependent significant decrease in cell viability in comparison to the control group. A combined treatment of gadolinium (0.4 mM, 0.8 mM, or 1.2 mM) and 60 Hz magnetic field resulted in a further significant decrease compared to gadolinium treatment alone. The apoptosis rate and the micronucleus formation were significantly increased in cells treated with 1.2 mM gadolinium and a 60 Hz magnetic field compared to the control group and compared to gadolinium alone. The number of DNA strand breaks was significantly increased in gadolinium treated cells (0.2 mM, 0.4 mM, or 0.8 mM) compared to the control. Furthermore, exposure to the 60 Hz magnetic field alone led to a significant increase in the number of strand breaks compared to the control. A combined treatment of gadolinium and exposure to the 60 Hz magnetic field led to a further significant increase in the number of strand breaks compared to gadolinium treatment alone.
In gadolinium treated cells (0.2 mM, 0.4 mM, or 0.8 mM), the level of reactive oxygen species was significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control. A combined treatment with 0.8 mM gadolinium and a 60 Hz magnetic field resulted in higher levels of reactive oxygen species in comparison to gadolinium treatment alone. An addition of N-acetylcysteine prevented this increase.
The data suggest that gadolinium induces DNA damage and apoptotic cell death in human lymphocytes and that these effects could be enhanced by extremely low frequency magnetic fields.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles