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Magnetic fields protect from apoptosis via redox alteration.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2006 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 3497

Static magnetic fields (6 mT) altered intracellular redox balance in U937 cells, with increased ROS and decreased GSH after 2 h of exposure that was maintained thereafter. ELF magnetic fields affected intracellular GSH starting from a threshold at 0.09 mT and…

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2006
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Magnetic fields (MFs) are receiving much attention in basic research due to their emerging ability to alter intracellular signaling. We show here that static MFs with intensity of 6 mT significantly alter the intracellular redox balance of U937 cells. A strong increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease of glutathione (GSH) intracellular levels were found after 2 h of MF exposure and maintained thereafter. We found that also other types of MFs, such as extremely-low-frequency (ELF) MFs affect intracellular GSH starting from a threshold at 0.09 mT. We previously reported that static MFs in the intensity range of 0.3-60 mT reduce apoptosis induced by damaging agents (Fanelli et al., 1998). Here, we show that ELF-MFs are also able to protect U937 from apoptosis. Interestingly, this ability is limited to the ELF intensities able to alter redox equilibrium, indicating a link between MF's antiapoptotic effect and the MF alteration of intracellular redox balance. This suggests that MF-produced redox alterations may be part of the signaling pathway leading to apoptosis antagonism. Thus, we tested whether MFs may still exert an antiapoptotic action in cells where the redox state was artificially altered in both directions, that is, by creating an oxidative (via GSH depletion with BSO) or a reducing (with DTT) cellular environment. In both instances, MFs fail to affect apoptosis. Thus, a correct intracellular redox state is required in order for MFs to exert their antiapoptotic effect.

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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 directionmixed
PopulationU937 cells
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 2 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Static magnetic fields (6 mT) altered intracellular redox balance in U937 cells, with increased ROS and decreased GSH after 2 h of exposure that was maintained thereafter. ELF magnetic fields affected intracellular GSH starting from a threshold at 0.09 mT and were reported to protect U937 cells from apoptosis, with the antiapoptotic effect limited to ELF intensities that altered redox equilibrium; when redox state was artificially shifted (BSO-induced oxidative or DTT-induced reducing conditions), magnetic fields did not affect apoptosis.

Outcomes measured

  • intracellular redox balance
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • glutathione (GSH) levels
  • apoptosis (protection/antagonism)

Limitations

  • In vitro cell model (U937), limiting direct generalization to humans
  • No sample size reported in abstract
  • ELF frequency parameters not reported in abstract
  • Apoptosis induction method and quantitative effect sizes not reported in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": "U937 cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "intracellular redox balance",
    "reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
    "glutathione (GSH) levels",
    "apoptosis (protection/antagonism)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Static magnetic fields (6 mT) altered intracellular redox balance in U937 cells, with increased ROS and decreased GSH after 2 h of exposure that was maintained thereafter. ELF magnetic fields affected intracellular GSH starting from a threshold at 0.09 mT and were reported to protect U937 cells from apoptosis, with the antiapoptotic effect limited to ELF intensities that altered redox equilibrium; when redox state was artificially shifted (BSO-induced oxidative or DTT-induced reducing conditions), magnetic fields did not affect apoptosis.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell model (U937), limiting direct generalization to humans",
    "No sample size reported in abstract",
    "ELF frequency parameters not reported in abstract",
    "Apoptosis induction method and quantitative effect sizes not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static magnetic field",
    "extremely-low-frequency (ELF) magnetic field",
    "U937 cells",
    "redox balance",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "glutathione",
    "apoptosis",
    "BSO",
    "DTT"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1196/annals.1378.006
PubMed: 17384247

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