Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetotherapy on proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts med./bio.

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2016; 35 (4): 343-352

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of human dermal fibroblasts to 5 Hz or 50 Hz magnetic fields on cell proliferation, cell morphology and cytoskeleton organization should be investigated to gain insight into cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of therapeutic ELF applications.

Background/further details

Each group was investigated immediately after exposure and again 24 hours later.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure 2: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure 3: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure 5: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure 6: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1.5 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • coil(s)
  • magnetotherapy device (ASALaser)
Chamber 30 mm petri dishes
Setup 4 petri dishes were exposed simultaneously at the center of the coil with homogeneous field distribution; the coil had a diameter of 30 cm and a length of 22 cm; temperature during exposure was stable within 1°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.25 mT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.8 mT - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 5

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.8 mT - measured - -

Exposure 6

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1.5 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.6 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Cell proliferation was significantly decreased in groups with exposure 1, 2, 3 and 5 compared to the sham exposure group 24 hours after exposure (but not directly after exposure).
All other parameters did not show any significant differences between the groups. Cytoskeletal organization was slightly altered in exposed groups compared to the sham exposure in terms of tubulin distribution, but differences were not statistically significant.
The authors conclude that exposure of human dermal fibroblasts to 5 Hz or 50 Hz magnetic fields could decrease cell proliferation without influencing the cell viability.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles