174
Electromagnetic Fields in Biological Systems
the dynamics of brain function. These techniques are leading medicine and biology to a
new horizon through the novel applications of magnetism.
The aforementioned studies on magnetic fields with different intensities and frequencies, such as SMFs and PEMFs, provide some therapeutic possibilities for various diseases. In particular, most of the rTMS and PEMF therapies have resulted in improved
outcomes in rehabilitative treatment and have shown clear neuroprotective and regenerative effects. In addition, the potentiating effect of magnetic fields on tumor cell apoptosis may have important implications for antitumor therapies. However, the potential
therapeutic mechanisms involved have not been proved. Technological advances of
superconducting magnets have enabled the study of diamagnetic force on biological
macromolecules and cells. The diamagnetic force causes magnetic orientation of macromolecules and cells; this finding has the potential to trigger promising applications in
regenerative medicine.
In recent years, an abundance of research papers, review papers, and books has been
published describing the possible physical and biological interactions of magnetic fields.
These studies provide valuable insight into the phenomenon of biomagnetism and open
new avenues for the development of new medical applications. By contrast, knowledge of
magnetic field effects on free radical reactions is particularly important when considering human health, the relation between immunological and neurodegenerative diseases,
and stress response possibly resulting from apoptotic pathways due to ROS generation.
Several attempts have been made to explore the parameters of free radical reactions
when living organisms, cells, and biochemicals are exposed to various magnetic fields.
However, the effects and mechanisms of magnetic field induced cytotoxic activity or
antitumor effect, if any, have not yet been clarified. The influences of these magnetic
fields on spin-dependent physiological processes need to be confirmed in further studies.
Acknowledgment
We thank Professor James C. Lin for his kind invitation to prepare this chapter and for
reading and commenting on the chapter.
References
Abdelmelek, H., A. Molnar, S. Servais, J. M. Cottet-Emard, J. M. Pequignot, R. Favier,
and M. Sakly. 2006. Skeletal muscle HSP72 and norepinephrine response to static
magnetic field in rat. J Neural Transm 113:821.
Abraham, W. C. 2008. Metaplasticity: Tuning synapses and networks for plasticity. Nat
Rev Neurosci 9:387.
Adair, R. K. 1999. Effects of very weak magnetic fields on radical pair reformation.
Bioelectromagnetics 20:255.
Ahmad, M., P. Galland, T. Ritz, R. Wiltschko, and W. Wiltschko. 2007. Magnetic intensity
affects cryptochrome-dependent responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Planta 225:615.
Ahonen, A. I., M. S. Hämäläinen, J. E. T. Knnutila, M. J. Kajola, P. P. Laine, O. V. Lounasmaa,
L. T. Parkkonen, J. T. Simola, and C. D. Tesch. 1993. 122-Channel SQUID instrument for investigating the magnetic signals from the human brain. Phys Scr T49:198.
Electromagnetic Fields in Biological Systems
the dynamics of brain function. These techniques are leading medicine and biology to a
new horizon through the novel applications of magnetism.
The aforementioned studies on magnetic fields with different intensities and frequencies, such as SMFs and PEMFs, provide some therapeutic possibilities for various diseases. In particular, most of the rTMS and PEMF therapies have resulted in improved
outcomes in rehabilitative treatment and have shown clear neuroprotective and regenerative effects. In addition, the potentiating effect of magnetic fields on tumor cell apoptosis may have important implications for antitumor therapies. However, the potential
therapeutic mechanisms involved have not been proved. Technological advances of
superconducting magnets have enabled the study of diamagnetic force on biological
macromolecules and cells. The diamagnetic force causes magnetic orientation of macromolecules and cells; this finding has the potential to trigger promising applications in
regenerative medicine.
In recent years, an abundance of research papers, review papers, and books has been
published describing the possible physical and biological interactions of magnetic fields.
These studies provide valuable insight into the phenomenon of biomagnetism and open
new avenues for the development of new medical applications. By contrast, knowledge of
magnetic field effects on free radical reactions is particularly important when considering human health, the relation between immunological and neurodegenerative diseases,
and stress response possibly resulting from apoptotic pathways due to ROS generation.
Several attempts have been made to explore the parameters of free radical reactions
when living organisms, cells, and biochemicals are exposed to various magnetic fields.
However, the effects and mechanisms of magnetic field induced cytotoxic activity or
antitumor effect, if any, have not yet been clarified. The influences of these magnetic
fields on spin-dependent physiological processes need to be confirmed in further studies.
Acknowledgment
We thank Professor James C. Lin for his kind invitation to prepare this chapter and for
reading and commenting on the chapter.
References
Abdelmelek, H., A. Molnar, S. Servais, J. M. Cottet-Emard, J. M. Pequignot, R. Favier,
and M. Sakly. 2006. Skeletal muscle HSP72 and norepinephrine response to static
magnetic field in rat. J Neural Transm 113:821.
Abraham, W. C. 2008. Metaplasticity: Tuning synapses and networks for plasticity. Nat
Rev Neurosci 9:387.
Adair, R. K. 1999. Effects of very weak magnetic fields on radical pair reformation.
Bioelectromagnetics 20:255.
Ahmad, M., P. Galland, T. Ritz, R. Wiltschko, and W. Wiltschko. 2007. Magnetic intensity
affects cryptochrome-dependent responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Planta 225:615.
Ahonen, A. I., M. S. Hämäläinen, J. E. T. Knnutila, M. J. Kajola, P. P. Laine, O. V. Lounasmaa,
L. T. Parkkonen, J. T. Simola, and C. D. Tesch. 1993. 122-Channel SQUID instrument for investigating the magnetic signals from the human brain. Phys Scr T49:198.