50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields do not affect human lymphocyte activation and proliferation in vitro.
In the last 30 years, an increasing public concern about the possible harmful effects of electromagnetic fields generated by power lines and domestic appliances has pushed the scientific community to search for a correct and comprehensive answer to this problem. In this work the effects of exposure to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields, with a magnetic flux density of 0.05 mT and 2.5 mT (peak values), were studied on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy young and elderly donors. Cell activation and proliferation were investigated by using flow cytometry techniques and 3H-TdR incorporation assays, respectively. The results obtained indicated that exposure to the fields altered neither DNA synthesis nor the capacity of lymphocytes to enter the activation phase and progress into the cell cycle. Thus, the conclusions are that two important functional phases of human lymphocytes, such as activation and proliferation, are not affected by exposures to 50 Hz magnetic fields similar to those found under power lines.
Capri
Miriam
M
Department of Experimental Pathology, Via S Giacomo 12, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Mesirca
Pietro
P
Remondini
Daniel
D
Carosella
Simona
S
Pasi
Sara
S
Castellani
Gastone
G
Franceschi
Claudio
C
Bersani
Ferdinando
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002453:Cell Cycle; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008280:Magnetics; D010641:Phenotype