Increased mouse survival, tumor growth inhibition and decreased immunoreactive p53 after exposure to magnetic fields

Abstract

The possibility that magnetic fields (MF) cause antitumor activity in vivo has been investigated. Two different experiments have been carried out on nude mice bearing a subcutaneous human colon adenocarcinoma (WiDr). In the first experiment, significant increase in survival time (31%) was obtained in mice exposed daily to 70 min modulated MF (static with a superimposition of 50 Hz) having a time average total intensity of 5.5 mT. In the second independent experiment, when mice bearing tumors were exposed to the same treatment for four consecutive weeks, significant inhibition of tumor growth (40%) was reported, together with a decrement in tumor cell mitotic index and proliferative activity. A significant increase in apoptosis was found in tumors of treated animals, together with a reduction in immunoreactive p53 expression. Gross pathology at necroscopy, hematoclinical/hematological and histological examination did not show any adverse or abnormal effects. Since pharmacological rescue of mutant p53 conformation has been recently demonstrated, the authors suggest that MF exposure may obtain a similar effect by acting on redox chemistry connected to metal ions which control p53 folding and its DNA-binding activity. These findings support further investigation aimed at the potential use of magnetic fields as anti-cancer agents.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on secondary skin wound healing: An experimental study

“…These effects mainly refer to alteration of the cellproliferation rate, changes in the levels of mRNA and protein synthesis, alteration of cellular membrane's permeability, and Ca 2þ , Na þ , K þ ion transfer. All the above lead to alterations of both the electrical and metabolic behavior of cells, influence the differentiation of primitive stem cells, and alter the rates of apoptosis in both normal and neoplastic cells [Walker et al, 1994;Han et al, 1998;Tao et al, 1999;Islamov et al, 2002;Tofani et al, 2002;Stonati et al, 2004]. Additionally, it seems that EMFs have a direct or indirect action, on the production of melatonin by epiphysis cerebri (pineal gland), resulting in the emergence of disorders of the organism's circardian and hormone production rhythms [Reiter, 1993].…”

“…In the last three decades, a large number of studies have proved that EMFs have multiple effects to living organisms [Aaron and Ciombor, 1993;Walker et al, 1994;Tao and Henderson, 1999;Tofani et al, 2002]. These effects mainly refer to alteration of the cellproliferation rate, changes in the levels of mRNA and protein synthesis, alteration of cellular membrane's permeability, and Ca 2þ , Na þ , K þ ion transfer.…”

Decreased plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites, angiotensin II, and aldosterone in spontaneously hypertensive rats exposed to 5 mT static magnetic field

“…There is substantial and growing evidence that static magnetic fields (SMF) less than 1 tesla (T) can influence physiological processes in vivo: pain [Takeshige and Sato, 1996;Vallbona et al, 1997;Holcomb et al, 2000;Brown et al, 2002;Hinman, 2002;Weintraub et al, 2003], bone repair and formation [Bruce et al, 1987;Mevissen et al, 1994;Darendeliler et al, 1997;Yan et al, 1998;Xu et al, 2001], inflammation and wound healing [Lud and Demeckiy, 1990;Weinberger et al, 1996;Man et al, 1999;Alfano et al, 2001;Segal et al, 2001;Rogachefsky et al, 2004], anticonvulsant effects [McLean et al, 2003], enhanced chemotherapy [Gray et al, 2000], spatial discrimination learning [Levine and Bluni, 1994], melatonin reduction [Welker et al, 1983;Olcese et al, 1985;Olcese and Reuss, 1986;Stehle et al, 1988], cyclic AMP reduction [Rudolph et al, 1988], central nervous system function [Rosen and Lubowsky, 1987;Veliks et al, 2004], action potential generation [Lohmann et al, 1991;Popescu and Willows, 1999;Wang et al, 2003Wang et al, , 2004, enhanced tumor apoptosis [Tofani et al, 2001[Tofani et al, , 2002, and increased c-fos gene expression [Němec et al, 2001]. Therefore, characterizing the physiological transduction mechanism of SMF on BP in both hypertension and hypotension, remains an important area of research toward the development of better p...…”

ELF fields and photooxidation yielding lethal effects on cancer cells

“…Hyperthermia (42 8C) and hyperacidity (pH 6.5) accelerate these processes (Table 1), which is absent in cancer cells. Recently apoptosis induction was found in animal experiments by 5.5 mT (50 Hz) treatment [Tofani et al, 2002]. One explanation of the efficacy of just 50 Hz energy fluctuation can be the similar oscillation rate as in the case of free radical kinetics [Repacholi and Greenebaum, 1999].…”