Cytokine profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to 50 Hz EMF.

The effect of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on the immune system was assessed by measuring the cytokine production of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs) of a healthy individual. The h-PBMCs were exposed in vitro to varying magnetic flux densities of 1, 3, 10, and 30 milli Tesla for 3 days. Changes in cytokine production of IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were studied using the ELISA method. Significant reduction in TNF-alpha production by the EMF-exposed h-PBMCs, in comparison with the non-exposed cells, was detected at all exposure levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Significant increase in IL-1 beta production and decrease in IFN-gamma production were also detected at some exposure strength. No significant differences were detected between the control and the EMF-exposed cells in the production of the other cytokines.