Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells : Chemotherapeutic Effects Using PEMF

Background: It has been experimentally demonstrated that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) stimulation on osteosarcoma cells enhance the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. In this study, we examined whether PEMF have any affect on the endothelial cells of the blood vessels that nourish tumor tissues. Methods: We evaluated cell proliferation potential and effectiveness of anticancer drugs by PEMF stimulation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), using bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells. Cell proliferation potential and effectiveness of anticancer drugs were evaluated by WST-1 assay. The optimum condition of PEMF was regulated at a frequency of 200 Hz, pulse width of 25 μsec and magnetic field strength of 50 gauss. Doxorubicin (DOX) and Cisplatin (CDDP) were used as anticancer drugs. Intranuclear DOX fluorescence intensity was evaluated by the flow cytometry (FCM). Results: PEMF effects on cell proliferation potential showed a significant cell proliferation after 24-hour PEMF exposure. However, with 48 and 72 hours exposure, a declining tendency in cell proliferation potential, was observed. Moreover, effectiveness of anticancer drugs increased after PEMF stimulation, although not as much perceptible as that of osteosarcoma cells. The intranuclear fluorescence intensity of DOX increased significantly by PEMF stimulation. Conclusions: We conclude that PEMF stimulation can also preferentially increase anticancer efficacy on vasa vasorum endothelial cells involved in tumor tissues.