Effects of weak static magnetic fields on endothelial cells.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been used extensively in bone fracture repairs and wound healing. It is accepted that the induced electric field is the dose metric. The mechanisms of interaction between weak magnetic fields and biological systems present more ambiguity than that of PEMFs since weak electric currents induced by PEMFs are believed to mediate the healing process, which are absent in magnetic fields. The present study examines the response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to weak static magnetic fields. We investigated proliferation, viability, and the expression of functional parameters such as eNOS, NO, and also gene expression of VEGF under the influence of different doses of weak magnetic fields. Applications of weak magnetic fields in tissue engineering are also discussed. Static magnetic fields may open new venues of research in the field of vascular therapies by promoting endothelial cell growth and by enhancing the healing response of the endothelium.
Martino
Carlos F
CF
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA. martino@colorado.edu
Perea
Héctor
H
Hopfner
Ursula
U
Ferguson
Virginia L
VL
Wintermantel
Erich
E
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III