Life in zero magnetic field. I. In vitro human blood aging

The role of the geomagnetic field for living things can be explored by expo sure to zero magnetic field conditions. Also, such conditions can be met du ring magnetic polar reversions and in interplanetary space. Human blood sam ples were exposed for up to 72 h to zero magnetic field conditions (ZMF) an d compared with control samples kept in normal geomagnetic field. The follo wing effects caused by ZMF were found: an increase of the rate of Na+ and C a2+ inflow into erythrocytes, an increase of K+ outflow, and increased hemo lysis. The magnitude of the changes was around 100%. No significant effects were noted for glucose consumption. These results suggest that ZMF conditi ons significantly accelerate the aging of erythrocytes. It seems that the m ain effect is due to reduction in Na+-K+ ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activity. A lthough at present we do not have sufficient data to construct a full pictu re of the effect vs, magnetic field intensity dependence, there is some evi dence that the normal geomagnetic field represents an environmental factor to which present life has adapted. Exposure to lower or higher magnetic fie ld intensities than the geomagnetic field may represent a stress factor tha t induces an adaptive response.