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Genomic instability induced by 50Hz magnetic fields is a dynamically evolving process not blocked by antioxidant

Kavindra Kumar Kesari1, Jukka Luukkonen1, Jukka Juutilainen1

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.

Mutation Research. Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis
|December 15, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) exposure may induce genomic instability in cells, persisting for at least 30 days. This study found ELF-MF effects on cell health markers, but not solely through reactive oxygen species.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Environmental Health
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Previous studies indicated extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) may induce genomic instability.
  • Genomic instability was observed in SH-SY5Y cells 8 and 15 days post-exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of ELF-MF exposure on genomic instability.
  • To determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ELF-MF-induced delayed cellular effects.

Main Methods:

  • SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed to 50Hz, 100μT MF for 24 hours.
  • Micronuclei, ROS, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assessed at 15, 30, and 45 days post-exposure.
  • The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used to probe the involvement of ROS.

Main Results:

  • Micronuclei levels were significantly elevated at 15 and 30 days post-exposure, but not at 45 days.
  • Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels decreased significantly at 30 and 45 days post-exposure.
  • NAC treatment did not prevent the ELF-MF effect on micronuclei, suggesting ROS are not the primary causal link.

Conclusions:

  • ELF-MF exposure can induce a delayed genomic instability in the progeny of exposed cells, persisting for at least 30 days.
  • The observed effects are not solely mediated by increased ROS, indicating other mechanisms may be involved.
  • ELF-MF exposure initiates a process that influences cellular health markers for at least 45 days.
Keywords:
Induced genomic instabilityLipid peroxidationMagnetic fieldMicronucleiReactive oxygen species

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