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An increase in the negative surface charge of U937 cells exposed to a pulsed magnetic field
Author(s) -
Smith Orla M.,
Goodman Eugene M.,
Greenebaum Ben,
Tipnis Pratima
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250120307
Subject(s) - magnetic field , surface charge , charge (physics) , field (mathematics) , environmental science , materials science , physics , nuclear magnetic resonance , quantum mechanics , mathematics , pure mathematics
Pulsed magnetic fields have been used to enhance healing of bone fractures and purportedly of lesions in soft tissue. However, their mechanism of action is poorly understood. We report changes in the plasma membrane of a nonadherent mammalian cell line, U937, which was exposed to a 25‐pps magnetic field for 48 hours. Aqueous polymer two‐phase partition studies showed that magnetic‐field‐exposed cells exhibited an increased negative surface charge but membrane hydrophobicity was not significantly altered. The observed increase in membrane electronegativity of exposed cells did not reflect a significant change in growth rate.