Design and Realization of an ELF-EMF Generator and Effects of Different Magnetic Flux Densities on Cancerous and Healthy Cell Viability

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a low-cost, computer-controlled, extremely low-frequency 50 Hz electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) generator and to investigate the effects of EMF exposure at intensities of 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mT (millitesla) on human osteosarcoma (U2OS) and healthy bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cell lines. First, a computer-controlled ELF-EMF generator was successfully designed and developed for in vitro exposure studies. Subsequently, the cells were exposed to 50 Hz EMFs at flux densities ranging from 0.1 to 10 mT, and cell viability was assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay 24 h after exposure. A significant decrease in cell viability was observed in U2OS cells exposed to 5 and 10 mT EMFs (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was detected at 0.1 and 1 mT exposures (p > 0.05). In BEAS-2B cells, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed only following exposure to 10 mT EMFs (p < 0.05), with no significant differences at 0.1, 1, or 5 mT exposures. These findings suggest that 50 Hz EMFs may affect cellular processes and inhibit the proliferation of U2OS cancer cells more than that of BEAS-2B cells. EMFs with specific frequencies and intensities may represent a novel approach for controlling the growth of U2OS cancer cells.