Environmental 50Hz Magnetic Fields Can Increase Viability of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC)

Over the last decades, considerable levels of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been characterized in the living environment. Recent epidemiological studies on occupational and residential exposure to EMF have shown that 50/60 Hz fields, known as extremely low frequencies (ELF), have various biological effects, such as angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of environmental 50 Hz magnetic fields at intensities of 3, 6, 15, 46, 110 and 207 mT on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as a significant component of angiogenesis process.
In this study, 43 experimental groups were evaluated, including a control group, 6 sham exposure groups, 18 acute, and 18 chronic exposure groups with different exposure intensities and durations of exposure. Proliferation and viability of HUVECs were examined via cell counting and MTT methods, respectively.
No significant changes were observed in the proliferation of HUVECs by 50 Hz magnetic field, while the viability of some acute groups was found to increase. These findings confirmed the theory of "biological window" for magnetic fields.
According to the results of this study, since the 50 Hz magnetic field can effect on viability of HUVECs and these cells play a key role in angiogenesis, 50 Hz magnetic fields at the mentioned intensities probably could be effective in the improvement of angiogenesis process.