Rodent cell transformation and immediate early gene expression following 60-Hz magnetic field exposure.

Environmental health perspectives · 1996 · No effect · Low evidence

← Research stream

No effectLow evidencePaper 4264

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental health perspectives · 1996

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Some epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to power frequency magnetic fields (MFs) may be associated with an elevated risk of human cancer, but the experimental database remains limited and controversial. We investigated the hypothesis that 60-Hz MF action at the cellular level produces changes in gene expression that can result in neoplastic transformation. Twenty-four hour 200 microT continuous MF exposure produced negative results in two standard transformation systems (Syrian hamster embryo cells and C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts) with or without postexposure to a chemical promoter. This prompted a reexamination of previously reported MF-induced changes in gene expression in human HL60 cells. Extensive testing using both coded and uncoded analyses was negative for an MF effect. Using the same exposure conditions as in the transformation studies, no MF-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells, casting doubt on a promotional role of MF for the tested cells and experimental conditions.

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 typein_vitro

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationSyrian hamster embryo cells; C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts; human HL60 cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.06 MHz · 24 hour continuous exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A 24-hour continuous 200 microT 60-Hz magnetic field exposure produced negative results in two standard in vitro transformation systems, with or without postexposure to a chemical promoter. Extensive testing in human HL60 cells was negative for a magnetic-field effect on gene expression, and no magnetic-field-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells under the same exposure conditions.

Outcomes measured

Cell transformation (neoplastic transformation) in Syrian hamster embryo cells
Cell transformation in C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts
Immediate early/gene expression changes in human HL60 cells
Ornithine decarboxylase expression in C3H/10T1/2 cells

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract
Findings are limited to the specific cell lines and exposure conditions tested (60-Hz, 200 microT, 24-hour continuous)
Details of exposure setup and endpoints measured are not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 hour continuous exposure"
  },
  "population": "Syrian hamster embryo cells; C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts; human HL60 cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell transformation (neoplastic transformation) in Syrian hamster embryo cells",
    "Cell transformation in C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts",
    "Immediate early/gene expression changes in human HL60 cells",
    "Ornithine decarboxylase expression in C3H/10T1/2 cells"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A 24-hour continuous 200 microT 60-Hz magnetic field exposure produced negative results in two standard in vitro transformation systems, with or without postexposure to a chemical promoter. Extensive testing in human HL60 cells was negative for a magnetic-field effect on gene expression, and no magnetic-field-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells under the same exposure conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Findings are limited to the specific cell lines and exposure conditions tested (60-Hz, 200 microT, 24-hour continuous)",
    "Details of exposure setup and endpoints measured are not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF magnetic field",
    "60-Hz",
    "200 microT",
    "cell transformation",
    "neoplastic transformation",
    "gene expression",
    "HL60",
    "C3H/10T1/2",
    "Syrian hamster embryo cells",
    "ornithine decarboxylase"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study addresses power-frequency (60-Hz) magnetic-field exposure relevant to occupational/power-frequency contexts, though no specific setting is described."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1289/ehp.961041188
PubMed: 8959408

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library