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DNA & Genetic Damage344 citations

50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism

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Wolf FI, Torsello A, Tedesco B, Fasanella S, Boninsegna A, D'Ascenzo M, Grassi C, Azzena GB, Cittadini A. 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism · 2005

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Exposure to 50-Hz ELF-EMF caused a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage that was prevented by antioxidant pretreatment.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed HL-60 leukemia cells, Rat-1 fibroblasts, and WI-38 diploid fibroblasts to 0.5-1.0 mT 50-Hz ELF-EMF for 24-72 hours. The treatment caused a dose-dependent increase in proliferation rate, about 30% after 72 hours at 1.0 mT. DNA damage increased dose-dependently with peaks at 24 and 72 hours. Pretreatment with the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol prevented both the proliferation increase and DNA damage, implicating redox mechanisms.

Why This Matters

Exposed cells showed an increased percentage in S-phase after 12 and 48 hours. DNA damage measured by 8-OHdG adducts followed a similar pattern. Rat-1 fibroblasts exposed for 3 or 24 hours had increased reactive oxygen species, which was reduced by alpha-tocopherol. Modifications of NF kappa B-related proteins were detected as early as 6 hours after exposure.

Exposure Information

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

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Wolf FI, Torsello A, Tedesco B, Fasanella S, Boninsegna A, D'Ascenzo M, Grassi C, Azzena GB, Cittadini A. 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism (2005). 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism.
Show BibTeX
@article{wolf_fi_torsello_a_tedesco_b_fasanella_s_boninsegna_a_dascenzo_m_grassi_c_azzena_gb_cittadini_a_50_hz_extremely_low_frequency_electromagnetic_fields_185_enhance_cell_proliferation_and_dna_damage_possi_ce4259,
  author = {Wolf FI and Torsello A and Tedesco B and Fasanella S and Boninsegna A and D'Ascenzo M and Grassi C and Azzena GB and Cittadini A. 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism},
  title = {50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism},
  year = {2005},
  doi = {10.1016/J.BBAMCR.2004.09.005},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/J.BBAMCR.2004.09.005PubMed: 15777847

Quick Questions About This Study

HL-60 leukemia cells, Rat-1 fibroblasts, and WI-38 diploid fibroblasts were exposed to 0.5-1.0 mT 50-Hz ELF-EMF for 24-72 hours.
Exposure caused a dose-dependent increase in proliferation rate, about 30% after 72 hours at 1.0 mT.
A dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks occurred with peaks at 24 and 72 hours, and a similar pattern was seen with 8-OHdG adducts.
Pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol prevented the increases in proliferation and DNA damage, suggesting redox reactions are involved.
Reactive oxygen species increased in Rat-1 fibroblasts after 3 or 24 hours, and NF kappa B-related proteins were modified as early as 6 hours.