COMBINED MAGNETIC-FIELDS INCREASED NET CALCIUM FLUX IN BONE-CELLS

Low energy electromagnetic fields (EMF) exhibit a large number of biol ogical effects. A major issue to be determined is ''What is the lowest threshold of detection in which cells can respond to an EMF?'' In the se studies we demonstrate that a low-amplitude combined magnetic field (CMF) which induces a maximum potential gradient of 10(-5) V/m is cap able of increasing net calcium flux in human osteoblast-like cells. Th e increase in net calcium flux was frequency dependent, with a peak in the 15.3-16.3 Hz range with an apparent bandwidth of approximately 1 Hz. A model that characterizes the thermal noise limit indicates that nonspherical cell shape, resonant type dynamics, and signal averaging may all play a role in the transduction of low-amplitude EMF effects i n biological systems.