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Effects of a 300 mT static magnetic field on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

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Potenza L, Martinelli C, Polidori E, Zeppa S, Calcabrini C, Stocchi L, Sestili P, Stocchi V · 2010

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A 300 mT static magnetic field caused transient mitochondrial changes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells but no permanent DNA damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to a 300 mT static magnetic field for 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours. After 4 hours of exposure, the static field induced damage at the nuclear and mitochondrial levels, reduced mitochondrial content, and increased reactive oxygen species. Twenty-four hours of exposure increased mitochondrial DNA content as well as expression of a gene related to mitochondrial biogenesis. No significant differences between exposed and sham cultures were found after 48 and 72 hours, and cell viability did not show a statistically significant change overall.

Why This Matters

The study examined the effects of a static magnetic field on cell growth and DNA integrity in HUVECs. Nuclear damage was investigated using a fast halo assay, while mitochondrial DNA integrity, content, and gene expression were evaluated with QPCR, standard PCR, and real-time PCR. The early effects seen at 4 hours, including increased reactive oxygen species and reduced mitochondrial content, were not sustained at later time points.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
300 mT
Exposure Duration
4, 24, 48, and 72 h

Exposure Context

This study used 300 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: 300 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 1,500 times the FCC limit

Study Details

This study describes the effects of a static magnetic field (SMF) on cell growth and DNA integrity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Fast halo assay was used to investigate nuclear damage; quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR...

Compared to control samples (unexposed cultures) the SMF-exposed cells did not show a statistically ...

The results suggest that a 300 mT SMF does not cause permanent DNA damage in HUVECs and stimulates a transient mitochondrial biogenesis. Bioelectromagnetics 31:630–639, 2010.

Cite This Study
Potenza L, Martinelli C, Polidori E, Zeppa S, Calcabrini C, Stocchi L, Sestili P, Stocchi V (2010). Effects of a 300 mT static magnetic field on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 31(8):630-639, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2010_effects_of_a_300_446,
  author = {Potenza L and Martinelli C and Polidori E and Zeppa S and Calcabrini C and Stocchi L and Sestili P and Stocchi V},
  title = {Effects of a 300 mT static magnetic field on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.},
  year = {2010},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20591},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20591},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20591

Cited By (26 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used human umbilical vein endothelial cells, known as HUVECs.
Compared to unexposed cultures, the SMF-exposed cells did not show a statistically significant change in their viability.
After 4 hours, the field induced damage at both the nuclear and mitochondrial levels, reduced mitochondrial content, and increased reactive oxygen species.
The results suggest that a 300 mT SMF does not cause permanent DNA damage in HUVECs.
No significant differences between exposed and sham cultures were found after 48 and 72 hours.