Magnetic Fields Trump Oxygen in Controlling the Death of Erythro-Leukemia Cells

2019 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1654

Across 16 experimental situations (“Transitions”) varying magnetic field condition (“Zero Field” vs “Incubator Field”) and oxygen level, magnetic fields were reported to be a more powerful determinant of erythro-leukemia cell death than oxygen and to induce d…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Magnetic Fields Trump Oxygen in Controlling the Death of Erythro-Leukemia Cells Li Y, Héroux P. Magnetic fields trump oxygen in controlling the death of erythro-leukemia Cells. Applied Sciences, 6 December 2019. Abstract Expansions in power and telecommunications systems have created a new electromagnetic environment. Here, we compare the death rate of human cancer cells in vitro in the pre-industrial electromagnetic environment of the past ("Zero Field") with that of an electromagnetic environment typical of contemporary human exposures ("Incubator Field"). A cell incubator provides magnetic fields comparable to those in the current human environment. Steel shields divert those same fields away from cell preparations in the "pre-industrial" assays. Large changes in oxygen levels are provided by nitrogen or atmospheric gas over the cell cultures. Human cancer cells are then separated according to three categories: necrotic, early apoptotic, or late apoptotic. The results are compiled for two variables, magnetic field and oxygen, in 16 different situations ("Transitions") likely to occur in the human body under present living conditions. We find that magnetic fields are a more powerful determinant of cell death than oxygen, and induce death by different mechanisms. This has important implications for the reproducibility of in vitro biological experiments focusing on cell survival or metabolism, and for public health. The rate and mechanisms of cell death are critical to many chronic human ailments such as cancer, neurological diseases, and diabetes. Open access paper: mdpi.com

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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 typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationHuman erythro-leukemia (cancer) cells in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 72% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cell death rate
Necrosis
Early apoptosis
Late apoptosis
Mechanisms of cell death

Limitations

No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, frequency) reported in the abstract
Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract
In vitro model; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "cell incubator (magnetic fields)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human erythro-leukemia (cancer) cells in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell death rate",
    "Necrosis",
    "Early apoptosis",
    "Late apoptosis",
    "Mechanisms of cell death"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across 16 experimental situations (“Transitions”) varying magnetic field condition (“Zero Field” vs “Incubator Field”) and oxygen level, magnetic fields were reported to be a more powerful determinant of erythro-leukemia cell death than oxygen and to induce death via different mechanisms.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, frequency) reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract",
    "In vitro model; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.72,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "magnetic fields",
    "cell incubator",
    "in vitro",
    "erythro-leukemia cells",
    "oxygen",
    "necrosis",
    "apoptosis",
    "cell death",
    "electromagnetic environment"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Mentions contemporary electromagnetic environment and incubator magnetic fields, but no specific occupational setting is described."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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