A study on the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on UV-induced radical reactions in murine fibroblasts

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the "radical pair mechanism" (magnetic field effect on recombination rate of radical pairs) explains our previous findings indicating that 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) of about 100 μT modify biological responses to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, the effects of 50 Hz MF on cellular oxidative processes induced by UV radiation were investigated. Murine L929 fibroblast cells were exposed to 50 Hz MF of 100 or 300 μT during a 1-h UV exposure or for 24 h before it. The decay kinetics of oxidative reactions were analysed by measuring ultraweak chemiluminescence (photon emissions) of the exposed cells by scintillation counter in the out-of-coincidence mode. No significant MF effects were found. The results do not support the hypothesis that 100-300 μT MF modify biological responses to UV radiation by causing an overall change in oxidative reactions at cellular level.