Detection of intracellular macromolecule behavior under strong magnetic fields by linearly polarized light

Strong static magnetic fields on the order of 10 T have a diamagnetic force on cell components and generate a clear alignment of a smooth muscle cell assembly, parallel to the direction of the magnetic fields within an exposure period of 3 days. This work shows the effects of diamagnetic torque forces on cell component motion. Linearly polarized light was utilized to detect the displacement of intracellular macromolecules. The polarized light passed through a mass of cells in a magnetic field, and transmission of the light increased and reached a plateau 2 h after the beginning of magnetic field exposure at 14 T. However, no distinct change was observed in transmission of the light under zero magnetic field exposure. The change in polarized light intensity through the lamellar cell assembly under magnetic fields corresponds to behavioral changes in cell components. It was speculated that intracellular macromolecules rotated and showed a displacement due to diamagnetic torque forces during 2-3 h of magnetic field exposure at 14 T.