Effect of electromagnetic fields on growth of human cell lines

초록

High Electromagnetic Field (EMF) with an intensity of 1 mT (Tesla) inhibited the growth of both human normal lung and immune T cell lines down to 20-30%, compared to that of an unexposed case. The human T-cells, Jurkat, were more severely affected by EMF than the human lung cells, which showed a relatively slow cell growth and substantial release of Ca+2 (3.5 times higher than the human T-cells). However, the growth of hepatoma carcinoma, Hep3B, was enhanced by twice that of an unexposed case. The EMF intensity and exposure time did not affect the growth of the cancer cells very much, while it significantly affected the growth of normal cells. Accordingly, it is possible that EMFs may play a role in the initiation of cancer. The EMFs disturbed the signal transduction and membrane systems, such that a five times higher amount of PKC-α was released from the cell membrane than in the control. Extended exposure to EMFs, for more than 48 hours, also led to a 90% necrotic death pattern from apoptotic cell death. Finally, EMF at an intensity of 1 mT with a 24-h exposure promoted the differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocytes/macrophages, possibly causing potential acute leukemia.

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