Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields affects insulin‐secreting cells

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF) on beta-cell survival and function, we cultured a hamster-derived insulin-secreting cell line (HIT-T15), which exhibits responsiveness to glucose in a semi-physiological range, under exposure to sham and ELFMF conditions, and assessed cell survival and function. We used our previously developed ELFMF exposure unit (a sinusoidal magnetic field at a frequency of 60 Hz, 5 mT) to culture cells under exposure to ELFMF conditions. We found that exposure to ELFMF for 5 days in the absence of glucose increased cell number, exposure for 2 days in the absence of glucose and for 5 days with 100 mg/dl glucose increased the insulin secretion to the culture medium, and exposure for 2 and 5 days with 40 and 100 mg/dl glucose increased intracellular insulin concentration in HIT-T15 cells. The increase in cell number under apoptotic culture conditions by exposure to ELFMF could lead to new therapeutic concepts in the treatment of diabetes. The ELFMF-induced increase in intracellular insulin concentration could be utilized to develop culture conditions to enhance intracellular insulin concentration in insulin-secreting cells that would be useful for cell transplantation to cure diabetes mellitus.

Neurobiological effects of pulsed magnetic field on diabetes‐induced neuropathy

“…Antihyperglycemic efficacy of PMF may imply that PMF treatment may prevent the destruction of pancreatic b-cells produced by STZ. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies have also shown that exposure to magnetic field caused an increase in serum insulin concentration and insulin secretion and led to reversible ultrastructural changes of pancreatic islets and an increase cell number [Laitl-Kobierska et al, 2002;Sakurai et al, 2008]. These findings have suggested that PMF could have a positive role in glycemic control and support our present investigation.…”

Effect of exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field with or without insulin on blood–brain barrier permeability in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

“…Long-term exposure to an alternating MF at frequency 10 Hz, induction 8 mT and frequency 50 Hz, induction 20 AE 50 mT, led to a decrease in glucose concentration in the serum of experimental animals [Laitl-Kobierska et al, 2002;Sakurai et al, 2008]. This study showed that insulin treatment decreased the glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats.…”

Can Histological and Histomorphometrical Changes be Induced in Rat Mandibular Condyle Following Ovariectomy and Long-Term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure?

“…Earlier studies on the health influences of magnetic fields have not ensured clear answers with respect to a possible biological reaction (51). Some authors, however, have become increasingly persuaded that electrical and electromagnetic fields have effects on improvement of bones, tissue repair and other body regions (39,40,41). A few studies have shown positive effects of electromagnetic field on bone fractures, osteoporosis, and pseudoarthrosis (42).…”