6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Oxidative Stress

Fifty-hertz magnetic fields induce free radical formation in mouse bone marrow-derived promonocytes and macrophages.

Bioeffects Seen

Rollwitz J, Lupke M, Simkó M · 2004

View Original Abstract
Share:

Exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 1 mT significantly increased free radical production in mouse bone marrow-derived promonocytes and macrophages.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on free radical production in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and monocytes. Exposure to the magnetic fields at a flux density of 1 mT produced a significant increase in free radical production in both cell types. The radicals produced were mainly superoxide anion radicals, found in macrophages at 33% and in their precursor cells at 24%.

Why This Matters

The researchers used the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) to explore whether NADPH- or NADH-oxidase was the target of the magnetic field interaction. Magnetic field-induced free radical production was not inhibited by DPI, whereas TPA-induced free radical production was diminished by about 70%. The researchers suggested that the 50 Hz magnetic field stimulates the NADH-oxidase pathway to produce superoxide anion radicals, but not the NADPH pathway. The study also found an oscillation in superoxide anion radical release in mouse macrophages over 1 to 10 days, which the researchers described as indicating a cyclic pattern of NADH-oxidase activity.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
1 mT
Source/Device
50 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mT 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: 1 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 5 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To study the effects of 50 Hz magnetic field on free radical production in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and monocytes

Our findings show a significant increase of free radical production after exposure to 50 Hz electrom...

Cite This Study
Rollwitz J, Lupke M, Simkó M (2004). Fifty-hertz magnetic fields induce free radical formation in mouse bone marrow-derived promonocytes and macrophages. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1674(3):231-238, 2004.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2004_fiftyhertz_magnetic_fields_induce_452,
  author = {Rollwitz J and Lupke M and Simkó M},
  title = {Fifty-hertz magnetic fields induce free radical formation in mouse bone marrow-derived promonocytes and macrophages.},
  year = {2004},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304416504001692},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and monocytes.
The cells were exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at a flux density of 1 mT.
Mainly superoxide anion radicals were produced, at 33% in macrophages and 24% in their precursor cells.
The researchers suggested that the 50 Hz magnetic field stimulates the NADH-oxidase pathway to produce superoxide anion radicals, but not the NADPH pathway.
The study showed an oscillation in superoxide anion radical release in mouse macrophages over 1 to 10 days, indicating a cyclic pattern of NADH-oxidase activity.