ELECTRIC-FIELD EXPOSURE ACTIVATES IMMUNOCYTES - EVIDENCE FOR CALCIUM DEPENDENCY

The controversy concerning the health effects of electric field exposu re, such as electromagnetic radiation (EMF), exists because of the app arent subtle effects it may cause on living tissues and organisms as n oted by the inconclusive results of many investigations. Rather than f ollow the traditional approach of studying whole-body systems, we have examined the acute effect of electric field exposure on the immunocyt es of Mytilus edulis. The results show that an in vitro electric field produced by direct current can enhance immunocyte activation and conf ormational change followed by locomotion, whereas repeated continuous exposure results in eventual death. EMF appears to enhance membrane pe rmeability to calcium, which can be prevented in low electric fields b y the calcium channel antagonist nimopidine. Since nimopidine protects the cells from EMF, it suggests that this form of radiation causes ce ll death by inducing the influx of calcium.