6-mT 0–120-Hz magnetic fields differentially affect cellular ATP levels

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an indispensable molecule that provides energy for essentially all cellular processes, has been shown to be affected by some magnetic fields (MFs). Although people are frequently exposed to various static and power frequency MFs in their daily lives, the exact effects of these MFs of different frequencies have not been systematically investigated. Here, we tested 6-mT MFs with 0, 50, and 120 Hz for their effects on cellular ATP levels in 11 different cell lines. We found that the 6-mT static magnetic field (SMF) either does not affect or increase cellular ATP levels, while 6-mT 50-Hz MF either does not affect or decrease cellular ATP levels. In contrast, 6-mT 120-Hz MF has variable effects. We examined the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) in four different cell lines, but did not find their direct correlation with ATP levels. Although none of the ATP level changes induced by these three different frequencies of 6-mT MFs are dramatic, these results may be used to explain some differential cellular responses of various cell lines to different frequency MFs.