Inhibition of B16F10 Cancer Cell Growth by Exposure to the Square Wave with 7.83+/-0.3Hz Involves L- and T-Type Calcium Channels

ABSTRACT

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure influences many biological systems; these effects are mainly related to the intensity, duration, frequency, and pattern of the ELF-EMF. In this study, exposure to square wave with 7.83±0.3 Hz (sweep step 0.1 Hz) was shown to inhibit the growth of B16F10 melanoma tumor cells. In addition, the distribution of the magnetic field was calculated by Biot-Savart Law and plotted using MATLAB. In vitro studies demonstrated a decrease in B16F10 cell proliferation and an increase of Ca²⁺ influx after 48 h of exposure to the square wave. Ca²⁺ influx was also partially blocked by inhibition of voltage-gated L- and T-type Ca²⁺ channels. The data confirmed that the specific time-varying ELF-EMF had an anti-proliferation effect on B16F10 cells and that the inhibition is related to Ca²⁺ and voltage-gated L- and T-type Ca²⁺ channels.

KEYWORDS:

• Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF)
• B16F10 cell
• voltage-gated L- and T-type Ca²⁺ channel

Acknowledgments

The B16F10 cancer cells and cell culture equipment were provided by the laboratory of H.V. Wang at National Cheng Kung University. The high-throughput screening microscope and technical support were provided by the National Cheng Kung University Medical College Core Research Laboratory.