Alteration in cellular functions in mouse macrophages after exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields.

Journal of cellular biochemistry · 2006 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5135

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of cellular biochemistry · 2006

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) affect certain cellular functions and immunologic parameters of mouse macrophages. In this study, the influence of 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) at 1.0 mT was investigated on the phagocytic activity and on the interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) production in differentiated macrophages. MF-exposure led to an increased phagocytic activity after 45 min, shown as a 1.6-fold increased uptake of latex beads in MF-exposed cells compared to controls. We also demonstrate an increased IL-1beta release in macrophages after 24 h exposure (1.0 mT MF). Time-dependent IL-1beta formation was significantly increased already after 4 h and reached a maximum of 12.3-fold increase after 24 h compared to controls. Another aspect of this study was to examine the genotoxic capacity of 1.0 mT MF by analyzing the micronucleus (MN) formation in long-term (12, 24, and 48 h) exposed macrophages. Our data show no significant differences in MN formation or irregular mitotic activities in exposed cells. Furthermore, the effects of different flux densities (ranging from 0.05 up to 1.0 mT for 45 min) of 50 Hz MF was tested on free radical formation as an endpoint of cell activation in mouse macrophage precursor cells. All tested flux densities significantly stimulated the formation of free radicals. Here, we demonstrate the capacity of ELF-EMF to stimulate physiological cell functions in mouse macrophages shown by the significantly elevated phagocytic activity, free radical release, and IL-1beta production suggesting the cell activation capacity of ELF-EMF in the absence of any genotoxic effects.

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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

PopulationMouse macrophages (differentiated macrophages; macrophage precursor cells)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 45 min; 4 h; 12 h; 24 h; 48 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 1.0 mT increased phagocytic activity after 45 min (1.6-fold vs controls) and increased IL-1β release, with significant increases by 4 h and a maximum 12.3-fold increase after 24 h. No significant differences were observed in micronucleus formation or irregular mitotic activities after 12–48 h exposure. Flux densities from 0.05 to 1.0 mT for 45 min significantly stimulated free radical formation in macrophage precursor cells.

Outcomes measured

Phagocytic activity (latex bead uptake)
Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) production/release
Micronucleus (MN) formation
Irregular mitotic activities
Free radical formation

Limitations

In vitro study in mouse cells; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
Sample size and replication details not provided in abstract
Exposure setup details beyond frequency/flux density and duration not provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "45 min; 4 h; 12 h; 24 h; 48 h"
  },
  "population": "Mouse macrophages (differentiated macrophages; macrophage precursor cells)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Phagocytic activity (latex bead uptake)",
    "Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) production/release",
    "Micronucleus (MN) formation",
    "Irregular mitotic activities",
    "Free radical formation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 1.0 mT increased phagocytic activity after 45 min (1.6-fold vs controls) and increased IL-1β release, with significant increases by 4 h and a maximum 12.3-fold increase after 24 h. No significant differences were observed in micronucleus formation or irregular mitotic activities after 12–48 h exposure. Flux densities from 0.05 to 1.0 mT for 45 min significantly stimulated free radical formation in macrophage precursor cells.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in mouse cells; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in abstract",
    "Exposure setup details beyond frequency/flux density and duration not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "1.0 mT",
    "mouse macrophages",
    "phagocytosis",
    "IL-1beta",
    "free radicals",
    "micronucleus",
    "genotoxicity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study examines 50 Hz magnetic field exposure (ELF) at mT levels, relevant to power-frequency exposure contexts."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/jcb.20920
PubMed: 16598759

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