Biophysical mechanisms underlying the effects of static magnetic fields on biological systems

2022 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 690

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Biophysical mechanisms underlying the effects of static magnetic fields on biological systems Zhang B, Yuan X, Lv H, Che J, Wang S, Shang P. Biophysical mechanisms underlying the effects of static magnetic fields on biological systems. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2022 Oct 11:S0079-6107(22)00093-1. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.09.002. Abstract With the widespread use of static magnetic fields (SMFs) in medicine, it is imperative to explore the biological effects of SMFs and the mechanisms underlying their effects on biological systems. The presence of magnetic materials within cells and organisms could affect various biological metabolism and processes, including stress responses, proliferation, and structural alignment. SMFs were generally found to be safe at the organ and organism levels. However. human subjects exposed to strong SMFs have reported side effects. In this review, we combined the magnetic properties of biological samples to illustrate the mechanism of action of SMFs on biological systems from a biophysical point of view. We suggest that the mechanisms of action of SMFs on biological systems mainly include the induction of electric fields and currents, generation of magnetic effects, and influence of electron spins. An electrolyte flowing in a static magnetic field generates an induced current and an electric field. Magnetomechanical effects include orientation effects upon subjecting biological samples to SMFs and movement of biological samples in strong field gradients. SMFs are thought to affect biochemical reaction rates and yields by influencing electron spin. This paper helps people how can harness the favorable biological effects of SMFs. sciencedirect.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

Populationhuman subjects (mentioned) and biological systems (general)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposurestatic magnetic field

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes proposed biophysical mechanisms by which static magnetic fields (SMFs) may affect biological systems, including induction of electric fields/currents, magnetomechanical effects (orientation and movement in strong gradients), and effects on electron spins that may influence biochemical reaction rates and yields. SMFs were described as generally safe at organ and organism levels, though side effects have been reported in human subjects exposed to strong SMFs.

Outcomes measured

stress responses
proliferation
structural alignment
side effects in humans exposed to strong SMFs
biochemical reaction rates and yields (via electron spin effects)

Limitations

Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality assessment described in the abstract
Exposure levels/field strengths and conditions are not specified in the abstract
Human evidence is referenced generally ("reported side effects") without details

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "static magnetic field",
    "source": "medicine",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "human subjects (mentioned) and biological systems (general)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "stress responses",
    "proliferation",
    "structural alignment",
    "side effects in humans exposed to strong SMFs",
    "biochemical reaction rates and yields (via electron spin effects)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes proposed biophysical mechanisms by which static magnetic fields (SMFs) may affect biological systems, including induction of electric fields/currents, magnetomechanical effects (orientation and movement in strong gradients), and effects on electron spins that may influence biochemical reaction rates and yields. SMFs were described as generally safe at organ and organism levels, though side effects have been reported in human subjects exposed to strong SMFs.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality assessment described in the abstract",
    "Exposure levels/field strengths and conditions are not specified in the abstract",
    "Human evidence is referenced generally (\"reported side effects\") without details"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static magnetic fields",
    "SMF",
    "biophysical mechanisms",
    "induced electric fields",
    "induced currents",
    "magnetomechanical effects",
    "electron spin",
    "biochemical reactions",
    "safety",
    "side effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Discusses safety and biological effects of static magnetic fields, which can relate to guideline discussions, but no specific WHO/ICNIRP content is stated in the abstract."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.09.002
PubMed: Not supplied

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