A static magnetic field does not affect the dielectric properties of chick embryo myoblast membranes

Abstract

We have recently demonstrated using dielectic relaxation studies in the radiowave frequency range that sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic fields (with intensities ranging from 1 to 10 mT) induce a nonlinear change in both membrane conductivity and permittivity of primary chick embryo myoblasts in vitro. It was the aim of the present study to determine if a DC-induced static magnetic field is capable of generating similar variations in the membrane conductivity and/or the membrane permittivity of chick embryo myoblasts. The results indicate that when the myogenic cells are exposed to a static magnetic field of either 1, 3 or 5 mT (values comparable with the previous extremely low frequency study), no changes in the membrane electrical parameters can be observed with respect to controls. Differences in the characteristics of static and extremely low frequency fields as well as the possible mechanisms underlying the contrasting results with these two types of magnetic fields are discussed.