Combined DC and ELF magnetic fields can alter cell proliferation.

Effects of extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields on proliferation of rabbit-ligament fibroblasts were examined. Markedly different effects, ranging from inhibition to stimulation of proliferation, were obtained, depending on the signal parameters of amplitude, frequency, and DC magnetic field. These results demonstrate that simple, single-frequency signals can have dramatic effects on ligament cells, which may be useful for bioelectrical stimulation of growth and repair. Also, the range of frequencies examined in this study covered those commonly used in transmission of electrical energy (50 or 60 Hz), which indicates that further study of possible effects of exposure to fields generated by power transmission equipment is warranted.