Magnetic fields increase cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis via modulation of Ca²⁺influx

Abstract

Static magnetic fields with intensities starting from 6 gauss (6x10(-4) tesla, T) were found to decrease in an intensity-dependent fashion, reaching a plateau at 6 x 10(-3) T, the extent of cell death by apoptosis induced by several agents in different human cell systems. This is not due to a change in the mode of cell death (i.e., to necrosis) or to a delay of the process itself; rather, the presence of magnetic fields allows the indefinite survival and replication of the cells hit by apoptogenic agents. The protective effect was found to be mediated by the ability of the fields to enhance Ca2+ influx from the extracellular medium; accordingly, it was limited to those cell systems where Ca2+ influx was shown to have an antiapoptotic effect. Magnetic fields thus might interfere with human health by altering/restoring the equilibrium between cell death and proliferation; indeed, the rescue of damaged cells may be the mechanism explaining why magnetic fields that are not mutagenic per se are often able to increase mutation and tumor frequencies.

Static magnetic fields affect calcium fluxes and inhibit stress‐induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells

“…Is deregulation of apoptosis the mechanism through which exposure to MFs increases the risk of tumors? In a previous paper, we showed that exposure to static, magnet-generated MFs decreases the extent of apoptosis induced by different stimuli, thus increasing the survival of some types of leukocytes despite damaging treatments via MF-induced increase of capacitating Ca 2ϩ entry (21). In the present paper, we show that static 6-mT MFs modulates Ca 2ϩ fluxes in human glioblastoma primary cultures and interferes with the apoptotic pathway of these cells under apoptogenic chemical or physical stress.…”

“…In such cells an increased Ca 2ϩ uptake from the extracellular medium might help the cells to cope against endoplasmic reticulum emptying. In our previous study (21), we also demonstrated that MFs do not rescue thymocytes from apoptosis, which, in contrast, is slightly increased in the presence of 6 mT MFs. The choice of cell system could explain in part the many conflicting results reported by different investigators who failed to detect any apoptotic effect by MFs (26).…”

“…We previously showed in different cell systems that MFs enhance capacitative Ca 2ϩ influx with an immediate and reversible effect and without affecting Ca 2ϩ mobilization from intracellular stores (21). Glial cells, unlike blood cells, possess an excitable membrane; thus Ca 2ϩ fluxes are quite different from blood cells.…”

Effects of Magnetized Medium on In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Cumulus Cell-Oocyte Complexes

“…Moreover, GSH is a key regulator in apoptosis, since cells actively extrude intracellular GSH through specific carriers and a consequent redox disequilibrium triggers the activation of Bax and cytochrome c release [32]. Previous research shows that magnetized water and high levels of GSH reduced apoptosis by interfering with the apoptotic process [33].…”

Cellular disorders induced by high magnetic fields

“…It has been shown that static HMF under 5 T has little or no effect on cell growth (1,2). Depending on the cell type, different influences of HMF on apoptosis have been reported (3)(4)(5)(6). HMF may also perturb Ca 2ϩ signaling in cells, although this is also dependent on the cell type (1,6,7).…”