RESUMEN
The present study focused on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) as a target for biological effects of extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF) exposure. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching microscopy (FRAP) was used to visualize diffusion of a fluorescent dye between NIH3T3 fibroblasts through gap junctions. The direct effect of 24 h exposure to 50 Hz MF at 0.4 or 1 mT on GJIC function was assessed in one series of experiments. The potential synergism of MF with an inhibitor of GJIC, phorbol ester (TPA), was studied in another series by observing FRAP when NIH3T3 cells were incubated with TPA for 1 h following 24 h exposure to MF. In contrast to other reports of ELF-MF effects on GJIC, under our experimental conditions we observed neither direct inhibition of GJIC nor synergism with TPA-induced inhibition from 50 Hz MF exposures.
Asunto(s)
Comunicación Celular , Uniones Comunicantes , Campos Magnéticos , Animales , Colorantes Fluorescentes/metabolismo , Cinética , Ratones , Células 3T3 NIHRESUMEN
There is some evidence from epidemiological studies of an association between occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Our aim was to perform, for the first time, an animal study in a controlled magnetic environment. We used the SOD-1 mouse model to assess the possible effect of ELF magnetic fields on development of the disease. Seven mice per group were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields at two intensities (100 and 1000 microT(rms)) before the onset of the clinical signs of ALS. Exposure lasted 7 weeks, and body weight, motor performance and life span were monitored. Our results did not reveal any evidence of a link between ELF exposure and ALS in this transgenic animal model.