Influence of a 7 mT Static Magnetic Field and Iron Ions on Apoptosis and Necrosis in Rat Blood Lymphocytes

In recent years several epidemiological and laboratory studies have suggested possible bioeffects of magnetic fields (MFs) and implied that those fields, especially at extremely low frequencies (50/60 Hz), could exert adverse effects on human health (various types of cancer and immunological disturbances). The mechanism of this effect remains unknown, but one of the most recognised hypotheses is the radical pairs mechanism in which an external magnetic field influences the kinetics of chemical reactions with radical pair intermediates and could increase the concentration of free radicals (oxygen free radicals) in the cells. This bioeffect may occur immediately after the MF exposure as acute or transient event in cells but can also give rise to more long-lasting events by affecting cell function or metabolism. We have previously shown that simultaneous exposure of rat lymphocytes to 7 mT MF (static or 50 Hz) and iron ions caused a significant increase in the number of cells with DNA damage, compared to the control samples or those incubated with iron ions or exposed to MF alone, and that melatonin, an established free radicals scavenger, provides protection against that DNA damage . We were therefore able to suggest that free radicals can be involved in 7 mT MF and iron ioninduced DNA damage in rat blood lymphocytes as a result of the MF effect due to the radical pair mechanism, but the possible cytotoxic consequences are not known. In the present study we investigated whether the oxidative DNA damage caused by simultaneous exposure of rat lymphocytes to a 7 mT static magnetic field (SMF) and iron ions may lead to cell death: apoptosis or necrosis. This communication provides some evidence of this effect.