Proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells by 400 μT electromagnetic field

The interaction between environment electromagnetic field (EMF) and cells can effect on various physiological processes. EMF as an external inducing factor, could effect on proliferation or differentiation of cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the electromagnetic field on the viability, proliferation and differentiation rate of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to neuron. BMSCs were obtained from 42 adult male rats. The cells incubated and cultured in 96-wells and 6-wells plates and exposed to electromagnetic field (40 or 400 μT) with a selected waveform: AC (alternative current), rectified half wave (RHW) and rectified full wave (RFW), for a week. To assess the viability and proliferation rate of treated cells, MTT assay was done, and then immunocytochemistry staining Neu N was used to evaluate cell differentiation to neuron. Results showed that EMF decreases the viability and proliferation in treated groups. But in AC group's reduction was significant. Minimum viability and proliferation rate was observed in RHW 400 μT group compared with sham. Immunocytochemistry showed that EMF can induce BMSC differentiation into neuron in AC 400 μT and RFW 400 μT. Evidences of this research support the hypothesis that EMF can induce differentiation of BMSCs to neuron.