ELF-Induced DNA Breaks

Henry Lai

Department of Bioengineering

University of Washington

Seattle, WA

USA

DNA Strand breaks

-single and double strand breaks-mis-repair cumulative-affect cell functions; can lead to

cancer and cell death

COMET ASSAY

DNA strand breaks have been reported in different cell types after ELF EMF exposure.

Ahuja (99)- human leukocytesDelimaris (06)- human lymphocytesHong (05)- mouse sperm cellsIvancsit (02, 05)- human fibroblasts and melanocytesIvancsit (03)-more pronounced effect observed in

fibroblasts of older subjects.Jajte (01)- rat lymphocytesLai and Singh (97, 04)- rat brain cellsLi (01)- E. coliSvedenstal (99)- mouse brain cellsWolf (05)- HL-60 and rat fibroblastsZmyslong (00, 04)- rat lymphocytes

ELF EMF affects DNA repair

Robison (02) HL-60 –decrease

Chow (00) – E. coli- increase- heat shock protein

Schmitz (04)- Mouse brain and kidney cells- increase

ELF EMF genotoxic effects involve free radicals

Effects blocked by free radical scavengers, enhanced by divalent metals, increase oxidative-damage in molecules

Jaite (01)Lai and Singh (97)Li (01)Lourencini (00)Yokus (05)Wolf (05)Zmyslong (00, 04)

Electromagnetic fields

iron

mitochondria

H2O2OH

Cellular damage

THE FENTON REACTION

Intensity and duration of exposure interact.

High intensity/short duration = Low intensity/long duration