Effect of 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on the production of superoxide anion and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 in RAW264 cells
Pooam M, Nakayama M, Nishigaki C, Miyata H · 2017
View Original AbstractPower frequency magnetic fields at 0.1-0.5 milliTesla damage cellular energy production and trigger stress responses in immune cells.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed immune cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from power lines at levels found near electrical devices. The magnetic fields damaged cellular energy centers, increased harmful free radicals, and triggered stress responses. This suggests everyday magnetic field exposure may stress our immune systems.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect cellular health at the most fundamental level. The researchers found clear biological effects at magnetic field strengths of 0.1 to 0.5 milliTesla, which are within the range you might encounter near power lines, electrical panels, or some household appliances. What makes this research particularly significant is that it shows a clear mechanism of harm: the magnetic fields disrupt mitochondrial function, which then triggers a cascade of cellular stress responses including free radical production and heat shock protein expression. These are the same stress markers your cells produce when exposed to toxins or other harmful substances. The reality is that your immune cells are constantly working to protect you, and this study demonstrates that magnetic field exposure may be forcing them to work harder by creating additional oxidative stress. While more research is needed to understand long-term health implications, the evidence shows these fields are not biologically neutral as often claimed.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1 or 0.5 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1 or 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx 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
we have investigated the effect of 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on the production of O2-, the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and the mitochondrial membrane potential in cell line macrophage RAW264 cells.
Macrophages were exposed to or not exposed to 0.1-mT or 0.5-mT, 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field and ...
The 50-Hz magnetic field enhanced production of O2- and the expression of HSP70, both of which are c...
The results collectively suggest that the 50-Hz magnetic field diminished the mitochondrial membrane potential, which led to the increase in the production of O2- and the expression of HSP70 protein
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2017_effect_of_50hz_sinusoidal_445,
author = {Pooam M and Nakayama M and Nishigaki C and Miyata H},
title = {Effect of 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on the production of superoxide anion and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 in RAW264 cells},
year = {2017},
url = {https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4c4a/b98b06feaa5915578aa574b7fe47e4f887d7.pdf},
}