Anti-apoptotic effect of a static magnetic field in human cells that had been treated with sodium fluoride

Abstract

Static magnetic field (SMF) is widely used in industry, in consumer devices and diagnostic medical equipment, hence the widespread exposure to SMF in the natural environment and in people occupationally exposed to it. In environment and in some workplaces, there is a risk of exposure also to various chemicals. Environmental factors can affect the cellular processes which can be the cause of the development of various pathological conditions.

Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of SMF on the expression of the apoptosis-related genes in human fibroblast cultures that had been co-treated with fluoride ions.

The control and NaF-treated cells were subjected to the influence of SMF with a moderate induction. The flow-cytometric analysis showed that the fluoride ions reduced the number of viable cells and induced early apoptosis. However, exposure to the SMF reduced the number of dead cells that had been treated with fluoride ions. Moreover, specific genes that were involved in apoptosis exhibited a differential expression in the NaF-treated cells and exposure to the SMF yielded a modulation of their transcriptional activity.

Our results suggest some beneficial properties of using a moderate-intensity static magnetic field to reduce the adverse effects of fluoride.

Keywords:

• Apoptosis
• static magnetic field
• sodium fluoride
• fibroblasts
• gene expression

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grant No KNW-1-062/N/8/I from the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.