The effect of electromagnetic field on proliferation and differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem­cells to neurons

Today, due to ever-expanding of using electronic systems and electromagnetic fields in the living environment and it can be used in treatment of some neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electromagnetic waves on cord blood stem cells.

The newborn's umbilical cord was transferred to a cell culture laboratory under sterile conditions. Then, using hyaluronidase, trypsin and collagenase enzymes, the cells were separated and cultured. For purification and removal of additional cells, the flasks were passaged three times. Then, flasks were incubated in the incubator with electromagnetic waves at a frequency of 50 Hz and intensity 0.25, 0.5, and 1 millitesla, two hours per day for a consecutive 14 days. Then, neuronal specific antibodies and MTT assay were tested for neuronal proliferation and differentiation of the cells.

The results showed that the intensity of 0.5 and 1 significantly decreased the number of cells, but in the 0.25 millitesla, there was no significant decrease in the number of cells in comparison with the control group. In addition, differentiation was observed only in 0.25 and 0.5 millitesla groups, but not in group 1 millitesla.

The results of this study indicate that electromagnetic waves can differentiate and expand the umbilical mesenchymal stem cells.