A study of the influence of electromagnetic fields on neurite outgrowth in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells

Abstract

The aim of this project is to study how pulsed and DC electromagnetic fields (EMF) alter the neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. The percentage of neurite-bearing cells, average neurite length and directivity of neurite outgrowth were analyzed. The influence of pulsed and DC EMF on neurite outgrowth is strongly dependent on pulse duty, pulse frequency, field intensity and nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration. For pulsed EMF, fields with only 10% pulse duty, 50 and 70 Hz frequency, high (1.37 mT) and medium (0.19 mT) intensity levels can significantly inhibit the percentage of neurite-bearing cells, promote the average neurite length and enhance the neurite directivity along the field direction. For DC EMF, field with only high (1.37 mT) intensity level can significantly promote the percentage of neurite-bearing cells and inhibit the average neurite length. The influence of pulsed and DC fields on neurite outgrowth was also associated with NGF concentration.