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Magnetic field effects on mitochondrion-activity-related optical properties in slime mold and bone forming cells

Yuri Mizukawa, Masakazu Iwasaka

    Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
    |October 11, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study reveals that magnetic fields alter cellular respiration. Both slime mold and bone cells showed changes in Cyto-aa3 oxidation cycles when exposed to varying and static magnetic fields.

    Area of Science:

    • Biophysics
    • Cell Biology
    • Magnetobiology

    Background:

    • Cyto-aa3 (cytochrome c oxidase) is a key enzyme in cellular respiration.
    • Cellular responses to magnetic fields are not fully understood.
    • Investigating Cyto-aa3 oxidation provides insight into cellular energy metabolism.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the real-time cellular response of Cyto-aa3 oxidation.
    • To examine effects of time-varying and static magnetic fields (up to 5 T) on Cyto-aa3 oxidation.
    • To compare responses in Physarum polycephalum and MC-3T3-E1 cells.

    Main Methods:

    • Optical absorption measurements at 690 nm, 780 nm, and 830 nm to determine Cyto-aa3 oxidation levels.
    • Experiments conducted using a solenoidal coil for time-varying magnetic fields (6 mT) and a 5-T superconducting magnet.
    • Cell samples (slime mold and bone-forming cells) exposed to magnetic fields and/or light stimulation.

    Main Results:

    • Physarum polycephalum exhibited periodic changes in Cyto-aa3 oxidation, influenced by light and time-varying magnetic fields.
    • MC-3T3-E1 cells showed similar, though more random, changes in oxidation cycles.
    • Strong static magnetic fields (up to 5 T) reproducibly suppressed Cyto-aa3 oscillation in bone-forming cells.

    Conclusions:

    • Cellular Cyto-aa3 oxidation is sensitive to both time-varying and static magnetic fields.
    • Magnetic field exposure can alter cellular respiration cycles in different cell types.
    • These findings contribute to understanding magnetobiology and cellular responses to electromagnetic fields.

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