title: ELF magnetic fields tuned to ion parametric resonance conditions do not affect TEA-sensitive voltage-dependent outward K(+) currents in a human neural cell line.
abstract: Despite the experimental evidence of significant biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs), the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Among the few mechanisms proposed, of particular interest is the so called "ion parametric resonance (IPR)" hypothesis, frequently referred to as theoretical support for medical applications. We studied the effect of different combinations of static (DC) and alternating (AC) ELF MFs tuned on resonance conditions for potassium (K(+)) on TEA-sensitive voltage-dependent outward K(+) currents in the human neuroblastoma BE(2)C cell line. Currents through the cell membrane were measured by whole-cell patch clamp before, during, and after exposure to MF. No significant changes in K(+) current density were found. This study does not confirm the IPR hypothesis at the level of TEA-sensitive voltage-dependent outward K(+) currents in our experimental conditions. However, this is not a direct disprove of the hypothesis, which should be investigated on other ion channels and at single channel levels also.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Entelë
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gavoçi
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zironi
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Remondini
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Virelli
authors.forename: Gastone
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.forename: Brunella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Del Re
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aicardi
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bersani
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000378:metabolism*; D019789:Tetraethylammonium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D019789:Tetraethylammonium
keywords: ELF magnetic fields; K+ channels; human neuroblastoma BE(2)C cells; ion parametric resonance hypothesis; patch clamp