TITLE:
A Theoretical Overview of Bioresponse to Magnetic Fields on the Earth’s Surface
AUTHORS:
Pietro Volpe
KEYWORDS:
Magnetic Fields vs. Living Matter, Biological Windows, Biodysfunctions, Apoptosis vs. Neoplasia
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.5 No.10,
September
26,
2014
ABSTRACT: This survey points to the mechanisms of bioresponse caused by magnetic
fields (MFs), paying attention to their action not only on ions, molecules and
macromolecules, but also on cells, tissues and organisms. The significance of
findings concerning the MF-dependence of cell proliferation, necrosis or
apoptosis was judged by comparing the results obtained in a solenoid, where an
MF can be added to the geomagnetic field (GMF), with those obtained in a
magnetically shielded room, where the MFs can be attenuated or null. This
comparative criterion was particularly appropriate when the differences
detectable between the data provided by experimental samples and the data
provided by control samples were rather small, as observed in estimating the
MF-influence on total DNA replication, RNA transcription and polypeptide
translation. The MF-induced inhibition of apoptosis was considered as a risk
potentially leading to accumulation of cancer cells. The analysis also surveyed
the MF-dependence of the interactions between host animal cells and infecting
bacteria. In relation to studies on the origin and adaptation of life on the Earth,
theoretical insights paving the way to elucidating the MF-interactions with
biostructures and biosystems of different orders of organization evaluated the
possible involvement of the so-called “biological windows”. Analogously to what
is known for ionizing radiations, the efficiency of the applied MFs appeared to
depend on the complexity of their biological targets.