title: Cytogenetic effects of pulsing electromagnetic field on human lymphocytes in vitro: chromosome aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and cell kinetics.
abstract: Exposure of human lymphocyte cultures to a pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF; 50 Hz, 1.05 mT) for various durations (24, 48 and 72 h) resulted in a statistically significant suppression of mitotic activity and a higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations. Furthermore, the shorter exposure times (24 and 48 h) did not cause a significant delay in cell turnover (cell proliferation index) or an increase in the baseline frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE). However, cultures continuously exposed to PEMF for 72 h exhibited significant reduction of the cell proliferation index (CPI) and an elevation of SCE rate. These results suggest that exposure to PEMF may induce a type of DNA lesions that lead to chromosomal aberrations and cell death but not to SCE, except probably at longer exposure times.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qassem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008940:Mitotic Index; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange