Effects on apoptosis and reactive oxygen species formation by Jurkat cells exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields

Abstract

The effect of exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field on a human T-leukaemia cell line (Jurkat) was investigated by evaluating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, both spontaneous and induced by a specific anti Fas/CD95 monoclonal antibody (anti-Fas). Our results suggest that 1 h intermittent (5 min field on/10 min field off) exposure does not affect ROS formation, while a slight but statistically significant decrease of both spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis was observed.

Molecular basis underlying the biological effects elicited by extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on neuroblastoma cells

“…Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that chronic exposures to ELF-MFs may be associated with increased risks of tumor development [Crumpton and Collins, 2004;Simkó , 2004;Santini et al, 2005;Wolf et al, 2005;Berg and Berg, 2006;Frahm et al, 2006;Lisi et al, 2006;Palumbo et al, 2006;Falone et al, 2007;Gottwald et al, 2007]. Our group previously established that ELF-MF exposure improves cellular viability and induces significant adaptations in the redox-related biochemical machinery of the human neuroderived SH-SY5Y cell line [Falone et al, 2007].…”

“…Several studies suggested that there is a possible association between ELF-MFs and malignancies in childhood and adulthood such as leukemia and nervous system tumors as well as cardiovascular and neurological disorders [Wertheimer and Leeper, 1979;IARC, 2002;Håkansson et al, 2003;Draper et al, 2005;Davanipour et al, 2007]. A number of in vivo and in vitro investigations have shown a possible co-promoter capacity of ELF-MFs on tumor growth as well as the potential effects elicited by ELF-MFs on various cellular functions [Crumpton and Collins, 2004;Simkó , 2004;Santini et al, 2005;Wolf et al, 2005;Berg and Berg, 2006;Frahm et al, 2006;Lisi et al, 2006;Palumbo et al, 2006;Gottwald et al, 2007]. Unfortunately, the biological mechanisms by which these physical agents can be involved in a possible tumor-promoting or tumor-initiating action are still unclear.…”

Steps to the clinic with ELF EMF

“…Since the 1980s a considerable number of reports have appeared [17,[19][20][21][22] describing a great variety of cell culture systems, animal models (mice for the most part), field sources producing a variety of waveforms and field strengths, and great variation in exposure protocols. Many of the invitro (cell culture) studies of tumor-cell lines report significant cell-killing compared to control cultures.…”

“…Under the microscope such cells can show fragmentation of nuclei, bizarre appearances of nuclear chromatin, membrane blebs and cell shrinkage. Biochemically one observes the activation of a family of cysteine proteases called caspases which destroy structural elements of the cell [21]. Caspases are activated by the BCl-2 family of proteins which cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytoplasm by altering the mitochondrial membrane potential.…”

Effects of Low Magnetic Irradiation on Morphology and Ultrastructure of Parotid Glands in Rats and Amelioration by Vitamin E

“…Based on higher radiosensitivity of the parotid gland over the submandibular when exposed to radiation [11] and the association of oxidative stress with the mechanism of EMFs induced damage [12,13] and radioprotective effect of vitamin E [8] together with its role as antioxidant against EMFs [14], this study aimed to detect the histological changes of parotid gland after exposure to ELF-MF and the possible role of using antioxidant vitamin E in prevention of hazards of exposure.…”