EFFECT OF SINUSOIDALLY VARYING MAGNETIC-FIELDS ON CELL-PROLIFERATION AND ADENOSINE-DEAMINASE SPECIFIC ACTIVITY

The effect of sinusoidally varying magnetic fields (SVMF) on chick emb ryo fibroblasts (CEF) was examined by two independent methods: 1) meas urement of cell proliferation;at 0.06-0.7 mT (100, 60 and 50 Hz) using a colorimetric assay (MTT); 2) monitoring of specific activity of ade nosine deaminase (ADA) at 0.3 and 0.7 mT, 60 Hz. Both increased cell p roliferation and reduced ADA specific activity are associated with cel l transformation. The MTT test showed an increase in cell proliferatio n of up to 64% after a 24 h exposure to SVMF at 100 Hz, 0.7 mT. Cell p roliferation at constant frequency (100 Hz) depended on SVMF intensity . Cell proliferation at constant intensity (0.7 mT) increased with inc reasing field frequency. At 0.7 mT, 60 Hz cell proliferation increased by 31%, 28%, and 26% when measured by hemocytometry, H-3-thymidine in corporation, and the MTT assay, respectively. ADA specific activity in CEF decreased by circa 48% on exposure to SVMF at 60 Hz, 0.3 mT for 2 4 h; only a statistically insignificant trend was seen at 0.7 mT, 60 H z. Our Endings showed that CEF cell proliferation and ADA specific act ivity were modified by SVMF. Both methods, independently, qualitativel y detect a magnetic field effect. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.