Continuous exposure to 60 Hz extremely low frequency magnetic field at 10-14 mT promotes various human cell proliferation by activating extracellular-signal-regulated kinase

Abstract

Overview

This study explores the proliferative effects of a 60 Hz extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on various mammalian cells, enhancing our previous findings which used a lower flux density of 6 mT.

Methods

• Cell Types: Human cervical carcinoma, rat neuroblastoma, liver cancer stem cells, immortalized normal hepatic cells, and normal fibroblasts were studied.
• Exposure: Cells were exposed to either 10 or 16 mT ELF-MF using a revised device that ensures increased magnetic flux density without thermal effects.
• Duration: The exposure lasted for 72 hours.

Findings

All examined cell types showed a 20% or greater increase in proliferation at 14 mT compared to the sham exposure group, with no additional benefits seen at 16 mT. The study noted several key physiological changes:

• Activation of the MEK-ERK pathway and NF-κB without affecting the Akt pathway.
• A slight increase in S-phase cell population.
• Stable intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels.
• No significant changes in intracellular calcium levels.

Conclusion

The investigation concludes that exposure to 60 Hz ELF-MF at intensities between 10 and 14 mT promotes cell proliferation by primarily activating the ERK1/2 pathway and does so independently of changes in reactive oxygen species and calcium levels.