[Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells via oxidative stress].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on human osteosarcoma cells and its mechanisms. METHODS: Human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were exposed to 50 Hz,1 mT ELF-EMF for 1, 2 and 3 h in vitro, with or without pretreatment by reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N acetylcysteine (NAC) or p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580. The proliferation of MG-63 cells was determined by MTT method; the apoptosis rate and ROS level in MG-63 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of p38MAPK in MG-63 cells was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: ELF-EMF decreased the viability of MG-63 cells, inhibited cell growth, induced cell apoptosis and increased the level of ROS significantly. The apoptosis rate declined significantly after treatment with ROS inhibitor NAC or p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580. After exposure to ELF-EMF, p38MAPK in MG-63 cells was activated, and the phosphorylation level was also inhibited after treatment with NAC. CONCLUSION: ELF-EMF can induce the apoptosis of MG-63 cells. Increased ROS and p38MAPK activation may be involved in the mechanism.