Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cytological effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on human lymphocytes in vitro: sister-chromatid exchanges, cell kinetics and mitotic rate med./bio.

By: Heredia-Rojas JA, Rodriguez de la Fuente AO, del Roble Velazco-Campos M, Leal-Garza CH, Rodriguez-Flores LE, de La Fuente-Cortez B

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2001; 22 (3): 145-149

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was undertaken to evaluate possible cytotoxic effects of sinusoidal 60 Hz magnetic field on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Background/further details

Three peripheral blood samples from a healthy, nonsmoking, 23 years old man were utilized. Each experiment was done in triplicate. The cell cultures were exposed to different magnetic flux densities (1 mT, 1.5 mT, 2 mT), co-exposed (2 mT plus mitomycin C), only mitomycin C treated (positive control), and not exposed (negative control).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz Exposure duration: 72 h	magnetic flux density: 1 mT minimum magnetic flux density: 1.5 mT magnetic flux density: 2 mT maximum

General information

the following four experiments were carried out: i) exposure to 1.0 mT magnetic field ii) exposure to 1.5 mT magnetic field iii) exposure to 2.0 mT magnetic field iv) ii) exposure to 2.0 mT magnetic field plus Mitomycin-C

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	60 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	72 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cylindrical solenoid
Chamber	culture flasks

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1 mT	minimum	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	1.5 mT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	2 mT	maximum	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

blood samples

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No statistically significant difference in sister chromatid exchange was observed in any exposure group.
The cell proliferation was increased in all exposure groups. The co-exposed cultures revealed a higher proliferation index compared to only mitomycin C treated cultures.
A higher mitotic index was found in all exposure groups. Co-exposed cells showed a higher mitotic index than only mitomycin C treated cells, but lower mitotic index than the negative control.
The data suggest that a magnetic field may modify the cell proliferation of human lymphocytes and decrease the cell proliferation inhibition of mitomycin C.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
blind study

Study funded by

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT; National Council for Science and Technology), Mexico
Programa de Apoyo a la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (PAICYT), Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Mexico

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