Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields enhance chemically induced formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in A172 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To detect the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields, the number of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in human glioma A172 cells was measured following exposure to ELF magnetic fields.


METHODS
The cells were exposed to an ELF magnetic field alone, to genotoxic agents (methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) alone, or to an ELF magnetic field with the genotoxic agents. After exposure, DNA was extracted, and the number of AP sites was measured.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the number of AP sites between cells exposed to an ELF magnetic field and sham controls. With MMS or H2O2 alone, the number of AP sites increased with longer treatment times. Exposure to an ELF magnetic field in combination with the genotoxic agents increased AP-site levels compared with the genotoxic agents alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the number of AP sites induced by MMS or H2O2 is enhanced by exposure to ELF magnetic fields at 5 millitesla (mT). This may occur because such exposure can enhance the activity or lengthen the lifetime of radical pairs.
Koyama
Shin
S
Department of Radiological Technology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan.
Sakurai
Tomonori
T
Nakahara
Takehisa
T
Miyakoshi
Junji
J
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance
D009153:Mutagens; D011687:Purines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D004247:DNA; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C030986:pyrimidine; C030985:purine