The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the frequency of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange in human lymphocytes induced by benzo(a)pyrene.
The interaction of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induced by benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in human lymphocytes was examined. A 60 Hz ELF-EMF of 0.8 mT field strength was applied either alone or with the tumor initiator, BP for 24 h. The frequencies of MN and SCE induced by BP increased in a dose-dependent manner. The co-exposure of cells to BP and 0.8 mT ELF-EMF for 24 h, followed by BP exposure for 48 h led to significant increases in the frequencies of MN and SCE compared to BP treatment for 72 h alone (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between field exposed and sham exposed control cells. The obtained results suggest that low density ELF-EMF could act as an enhancer of the initiation process of BP rather than as an initiator of mutagenic effects in human lymphocytes.
Cho
Yoon Hee
YH
School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 28 Yunkeun-dong, Chongno-ku, Seoul 110-460, South Korea.
Chung
Hai Won
HW
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*
D009153:Mutagens; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene