Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Do Not Elicit Oxidative Stress in MCF10A Cells

TLDR

The study aimed to assess whether exposure to 1 mT 60 Hz ELF‑MF alters intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and antioxidant enzyme activity in MCF10A cells. MCF10A cells were exposed for 4 h to 1 mT 60 Hz ELF‑MF, after which ROS, superoxide dismutase activity, and the GSH/GSSG ratio were quantified. ELF‑MF exposure produced no statistically significant changes in ROS, SOD activity, or GSH/GSSG ratio compared with controls, whereas ionizing radiation induced marked alterations, leading to the conclusion that ELF‑MF has no effect on these oxidative stress markers under the tested conditions.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) could affect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. After MCF10A human breast epithelial cells were exposed to 1 mT of 60 Hz ELF-MF for 4 hours, intracellular ROS level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio were measured. The cells exposed to ELF-MF did not evidence statistically significant changes in the above-mentioned biological parameters as compared to either the incubator controls or sham-exposed cells. By way of contrast, the IR-exposed cells exhibited marked changes in ROS level, SOD activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio. When we assessed morphological changes and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, only the IR-exposed cells were positive. According to our results, it could be concluded that ELF-MF has no effect on intracellular ROS level, SOD activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio under our exposure condition.