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In vitro effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on oxidatively damaged rabbit red blood cells
M Fiorani1, B Biagiarelli, F Vetrano
1Centro di Biochimica delle Proteine, Università di Urbino, Italy.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields (0.2-0.5 mT) on rabbit red blood cells (RBCs) that were exposed simultaneously to the action of an oxygen radical-generating system, Fe(II)/ascorbate. Previous data obtained in our laboratory showed at the exposure of rabbit erythrocytes or reticulocytes to Fe(II)/ascorbate hexokinase inactivation, whereas the other glycolytic enzymes do not show any decay. We also observed depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content with a concomitant intracellular and extracellular increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and a decrease in energy charge. In this work we investigated whether 50 Hz magnetic fields could influence the intracellular impairments that occur when erythrocytes or reticulocytes are exposed to this oxidant system, namely, inactivation of hexokinase activity, GSH depletion, a change in energy charge, and hemoglobin oxidation. The results obtained indicate the a 0.5 mT magnetic field had no effect on intact RBCs, whereas it increased the damage with Fe(II)/ascorbate to a 0.5 mT magnetic field induced a significant further decay in hexokinase activity (about 20%) as well as a twofold increase in methemoglobin production compared with RBCs that were exposed to the oxidant system alone. Although further studies will be needed to determine the physiological implications of these data, the results reported in this study demonstrate that the effects of the magnetic fields investigated are able to potentiate the cellular damage induced in vitro by oxidizing agents.
Insights
Low-frequency magnetic fields potentiate oxidative damage to red blood cells. Exposure to 0.5 mT magnetic fields amplified cellular injury from an oxygen radical system, impacting enzyme activity and hemoglobin.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Fe(II)/ascorbate systems induce oxidative stress in red blood cells (RBCs).
- Previous studies showed Fe(II)/ascorbate inactivates hexokinase and depletes glutathione in rabbit erythrocytes.
- Cellular energy metabolism and oxidative balance are sensitive to environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on RBCs exposed to an oxygen radical-generating system.
- To determine if magnetic fields exacerbate oxidative damage, including hexokinase inactivation, glutathione changes, and hemoglobin oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Rabbit red blood cells were exposed to Fe(II)/ascorbate with and without 50 Hz magnetic fields (0.2-0.5 mT).
- Assessed hexokinase activity, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), energy charge, and methemoglobin formation.
- Compared outcomes between RBCs exposed to the oxidant system alone versus those exposed to both the oxidant and magnetic fields.
Main Results:
- A 0.5 mT magnetic field did not affect intact RBCs.
- The magnetic field significantly increased hexokinase inactivation (approx. 20%) when combined with Fe(II)/ascorbate.
- A twofold increase in methemoglobin production was observed with combined magnetic field and oxidant exposure.
Conclusions:
- 50 Hz magnetic fields at 0.5 mT potentiate in vitro cellular damage induced by oxidizing agents.
- Magnetic field exposure can exacerbate oxidative stress in red blood cells.
- Further research is needed to understand the physiological implications of these findings.
