Effects of magnetic field on the antioxidant enzyme activities of suspension-cultured tobacco cells
Sahebjamei H, Abdolmaleki P, Ghanati F · 2007
View Original AbstractStatic magnetic fields disrupted cellular antioxidant defenses in plant cells, suggesting magnetic exposure may weaken biological protection systems.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed tobacco plant cells to static magnetic fields of 10 and 30 millitesla for 5 hours daily over 5 days to study effects on cellular defense systems. The magnetic field exposure disrupted the cells' antioxidant enzyme balance, decreasing some protective enzymes while increasing cellular damage markers. This suggests that magnetic fields can weaken biological cells' ability to defend against harmful oxidative stress.
Why This Matters
This study provides important evidence that magnetic fields can disrupt fundamental cellular defense mechanisms, even in plant cells. The exposure levels used (10-30 millitesla) are significantly higher than typical household exposures but within range of some industrial equipment and MRI environments. What makes this research particularly relevant is that it demonstrates magnetic fields can impair antioxidant systems that protect cells from damage. The fact that researchers observed these effects in plant cells suggests the biological impact may be universal across living systems. While we can't directly extrapolate plant cell findings to human health, this adds to a growing body of evidence showing that magnetic field exposure can trigger measurable biological changes at the cellular level.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 10 and 30 mG
- Exposure Duration
- 5 days, 5 h each day
Exposure Context
This study used 10 and 30 mG for magnetic fields:
- 500Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 100Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
Effects of magnetic fields (MFs) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes of suspension-cultured tobacco cells were investigated.
Compared with the control cells, exposure of the cells to static MF with the magnitudes of 10 and 30...
It suggests that MF could deteriorate antioxidant defense system of plant cells.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2007_effects_of_magnetic_field_455,
author = {Sahebjamei H and Abdolmaleki P and Ghanati F},
title = {Effects of magnetic field on the antioxidant enzyme activities of suspension-cultured tobacco cells},
year = {2007},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20262},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20262},
}