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Effects of magnetic field on the antioxidant enzyme activities of suspension-cultured tobacco cells

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Sahebjamei H, Abdolmaleki P, Ghanati F · 2007

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Static magnetic fields disrupted cellular antioxidant defenses in plant cells, suggesting magnetic exposure may weaken biological protection systems.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 10 and 30 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 200x higher than this level

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.

Cite This Study
Sahebjamei H, Abdolmaleki P, Ghanati F (2007). Effects of magnetic field on the antioxidant enzyme activities of suspension-cultured tobacco cells Bioelectromagnetics. 28(1):42-47, 2007.
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},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20262

Cited By (149 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, static magnetic fields can damage tobacco plant cells by disrupting their antioxidant defense systems. A 2007 study found that 10-30 millitesla magnetic fields decreased protective enzymes like catalase and ascorbate peroxidase while increasing cellular damage markers, weakening the cells' ability to fight oxidative stress.
Yes, 10 millitesla magnetic fields significantly affect plant antioxidant enzymes. Research on tobacco cells showed that 5-hour daily exposure for 5 days increased superoxide dismutase activity but decreased catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes, disrupting the cellular antioxidant balance needed for protection.
Plant cells exposed to 30 millitesla magnetic fields experience increased oxidative damage and weakened antioxidant defenses. Tobacco cells showed decreased catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity along with increased lipid peroxidation, indicating that magnetic field exposure deteriorates the cellular protection system.
Yes, 5-hour daily magnetic field exposure significantly harms plant cellular defenses. When tobacco cells were exposed to static magnetic fields for 5 hours daily over 5 days, their antioxidant enzyme balance was disrupted, leading to decreased protective enzymes and increased cellular damage markers.
Yes, magnetic fields can increase lipid peroxidation in plant cells, indicating cellular damage. Research showed that tobacco cells exposed to 10-30 millitesla static magnetic fields experienced elevated lipid peroxidation levels, suggesting that magnetic field exposure weakens cellular membranes and increases oxidative stress damage.