Suppression of natural killer cell activity on Candida stellatoidea by a 50 Hz magnetic field.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2006 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5127

NK cell cytotoxic activity of splenocytes was decreased in guinea pigs exposed to a 50 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field compared with controls.

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2006

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is ubiquitous for almost all individuals living in industrialized countries. Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that exposure to Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) EMF increase cancer risk. The immune system functions as one of the body's main protective mechanisms, and Natural Killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that can destroy several types of tumor cells. In this study, we investigated, NK cell activity after exposure to a 50 Hertz (Hz), 2 mT magnetic field generated by a Helmholtz Coil. Nineteen male, 10-12 week old guinea pigs were used, and NK cytotoxic activity of splenocytes was measured in vitro by natural anticandidial colorimetric index. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied for statistical analysis. NK cell cytotoxic activity was decreased in exposed compared to controls. Our data suggests that part of the immune system, the NK cell, can be suppressed by a 50 Hz magnetic field.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationMale guinea pigs (10–12 weeks old)

Sample size19

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

NK cell cytotoxic activity of splenocytes was decreased in guinea pigs exposed to a 50 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field compared with controls.

Outcomes measured

Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity of splenocytes (in vitro; natural anticandidial colorimetric index against Candida stellatoidea)

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Outcome measured in vitro from splenocytes rather than in vivo immune function
Single animal model and sex (male guinea pigs)
Limited sample size (n=19)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Male guinea pigs (10–12 weeks old)",
  "sample_size": 19,
  "outcomes": [
    "Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity of splenocytes (in vitro; natural anticandidial colorimetric index against Candida stellatoidea)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "NK cell cytotoxic activity of splenocytes was decreased in guinea pigs exposed to a 50 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field compared with controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Outcome measured in vitro from splenocytes rather than in vivo immune function",
    "Single animal model and sex (male guinea pigs)",
    "Limited sample size (n=19)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "2 mT",
    "Helmholtz coil",
    "natural killer cells",
    "NK activity",
    "immune suppression",
    "guinea pig",
    "Candida stellatoidea"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic-field exposure, relevant to contexts where such fields occur (e.g., power-frequency environments), though 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: 10.1080/15368370600697453
PubMed: 16771296

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