Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields cause DNA strand breaks in normal cells

Journal of Environmental Health Science Engineering

Gabriela Vochita²  Florin Brinza¹  Pincu Rotinberg²  Cosmin Teodor Mihai³ 

[1] Faculty of Physics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania;National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, branch Institute of Biological Research Iasi, Iasi, Romania;Department of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania

关键词: DNA damage;    Cell cycle analysis;    Comet assay;    Continuous and discontinuous exposure;    5.6 mT and 100 Hz;    ELF-EMF;   

Others  :  810789
DOI  :  10.1186/2052-336X-12-15

 received in 2013-02-20, accepted in 2013-11-10,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields aren’t considered as a real carcinogenic agent despite the fact that some studies have showed impairment of the DNA integrity in different cells lines. The aim of this study was evaluation of the late effects of a 100 Hz and 5.6 mT electromagnetic field, applied continuously or discontinuously, on the DNA integrity of Vero cells assessed by alkaline Comet assay and by cell cycle analysis. Normal Vero cells were exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (100 Hz, 5.6 mT) for 45 minutes. The Comet assay and cell cycle analysis were performed 48 hours after the treatment.

Results

Exposed samples presented an increase of the number of cells with high damaged DNA as compared with non-exposed cells. Quantitative evaluation of the comet assay showed a significantly (<0.001) increase of the tail lengths, of the quantity of DNA in tail and of Olive tail moments, respectively. Cell cycle analysis showed an increase of the frequency of the cells in S phase, proving the occurrence of single strand breaks. The most probable mechanism of induction of the registered effects is the production of different types of reactive oxygen species.

Conclusions

The analysis of the registered comet indices and of cell cycle showed that extremely low frequency electromagnetic field of 100 Hz and 5.6 mT had a genotoxic impact on Vero cells.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Mihai et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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