Growth modification of human colon adenocarcinoma cells exposed to a low-frequency electromagnetic field

The influence of variable low-intensity, low-frequency electromagnetic fields on culture cells is investigated. Human colon adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to a rectangular and variable magnetic field (1 and 25 Hz; 1.5 mT peak). Cultures were exposed to a dose for 15 and 360 minutes, and after 24 hours incubation, cell viability was measured with neutral red stain. The group treated for 15 minutes showed a statistically significant increase in cell growth with 1 Hz (p < 0.002) and 25 Hz (p < 0.003). In contrast, a significant decrease in cell growth was found in those cultures treated with 1 Hz for 360 minutes (p < 0.02). The effects reported could be influenced by the magnetic field frequency and the exposure time.