Increased dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of thymocytes from mice exposed to long-term extremely low frequency magnetic fields.
To address the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on programmed cell death we assessed both the spontaneous and dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis of thymocytes and spleen cells from mice submitted to a long-term continuous exposure of a 0.4-1.0 microT 60 Hz magnetic field or an 8-20 microT direct current (DC) magnetic field. Dex-induced apoptosis but not spontaneous apoptosis was substantially increased in thymocytes from 0.4 to 1.0 microT 60 Hz field-exposed animals. Spontaneous apoptosis and Dex-induced apoptosis of spleen cells were not affected by the 0.4-1.0 microT 60 Hz field exposure. In addition, spontaneous apoptosis and Dex-induced apoptosis of thymocytes and spleen cells from mice exposed to an 8-20 microT DC field were similar to the controls. These findings represent the first demonstration that thymocytes from mice exposed to a long-term 0.4-1.0 microT 60 Hz field may show abnormal response to Dex apoptotic stimuli.
Ismael
S J
SJ
Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Callera
F
F
Garcia
A B
AB
Baffa
O
O
Falcão
R P
RP
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011897:Random Allocation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D003907:Dexamethasone