An amplification mechanism for weak ELF magnetic fields quantum-bio effects in cancer cells

Abstract

An amplification mechanism for weak ELF magnetic fields quantum-bio effects in cancer cells Zandieh A, Shariatpanahi SP, Ravassipour AA, Azadipour J, Nezamtaheri MS, Habibi-Kelishomi Z, Ghanizadeh M, Same-Majandeh A, Majidzadeh-A K, Taheri A, Ansari AM, Javidi MA, Pirnia MM, Goliaei B. An amplification mechanism for weak ELF magnetic fields quantum-bio effects in cancer cells. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 23;15(1):2964. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-87235-w. Abstract Observing quantum mechanical characteristics in biological processes is a surprising and important discovery. One example, which is gaining more experimental evidence and practical applications, is the effect of weak magnetic fields with extremely low frequencies on cells, especially cancerous ones. In this study, we use a mathematical model of ROS dynamics in cancer cells to show how ROS oscillatory patterns can act as a resonator to amplify the small effects of the magnetic fields on the radical pair dynamics in mitochondrial Complex III. We suggest such a resonator can act in two modes for distinct states in cancer cells: (1) cells at the edge of mitochondrial oscillation and (2) cells with local oscillatory patches. When exposed to magnetic fields, the first group exhibits high-amplitude oscillations, while the second group synchronizes to reach a whole-cell oscillation. Both types of amplification are frequency- dependent in the range of hertz and sub-hertz. We use UV radiation as a positive control to observe the two states of cells in DU and HELA cell lines. Application of magnetic fields shows frequency-dependent results on both the ROS and mitochondrial potential which agree with the model for both type of cells. We also observe the oscillatory behavior in the time-lapse fluorescence microscopy for 0.02 and 0.04 Hz magnetic fields. Finally, we investigate the dependence of the results on the field strength and propose a quantum spin-forbidden mechanism for the effect of magnetic fields on superoxide production in QO site of mitochondrial Complex III. Excerpts In a nutshell, our proposed scheme acts in two distinct levels: [I] At the level of superoxide production in mitochondrial ETC where the applied magnetic field can alter production rate of superoxide by closing the energy gap between singlet and triplet state of a radical pair in Complex III. Here the applied magnetic field effectively acts as a static field. And [II] at the level of mitochondrial network, where oscillation of the applied magnetic field (and thus oscillation in the production rate of superoxide) can resonate with the intrinsic frequency of RIRR in cancer cells. At this level, the minor effect of underlying RPM is amplified to affect the physiology of the cell in a frequency-dependent manner.... Conclusion Our study proposed a quantum biological mechanism for the effect of varying small magnetic fields on cancer cells. The frequency dependent effect of magnetic field is here postulated to be the result of interaction of alternating field with the intrinsically oscillatory system of coupled mitochondria via a novel radical pair phenomenon. Here the site of action of the field is suggested to be the semiquinone/FeS radical pair in Complex III of ETC. A magnetic field of the order of few hundreds of millitesla is predicted to populate the triplet state of the radical pair whose electron transfer onto oxygen molecule is restricted by a spin forbidden reaction in half of the cases. This leads to a mild decrease in superoxide production in the presence of such a magnetic field. An oscillatory field can amplify such an effect via a resonance phenomenon in a network of coupled mitochondria in many cell lines. This substantial change in ROS balance can potentially cause physiological effect in the cells, including apoptosis. Our simulations show the mentioned effect can be manifested in two resonance modes: Either triggering the oscillation in network or synchronizing the out of phase oscillatory mitochondria. Our experimental results confirm the suggested model which can explain the previous observations for the first time. The hypothesis was validated by the observation of the synchronization when cells were exposed to sudden UV irradiation. Moreover, we observed a frequency-dependent variation of the ROS concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential under the effect of oscillatory magnetic field in frequencies and intensities suggested by our model. Further in vitro investigation with higher resolution of microscopy and more extensive profile of magnetic field frequencies and intensities can shed light on the detailed components of the involved mechanism. Open access paper: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Using a mathematical model of ROS dynamics in cancer cells, the authors propose that ROS oscillatory patterns can act as a resonator that amplifies small ELF magnetic-field effects on radical-pair dynamics in mitochondrial Complex III. They report frequency-dependent effects (hertz and sub-hertz; specifically noting observations at 0.02 and 0.04 Hz) of oscillatory magnetic fields on ROS concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential in DU and HELA cell lines, described as agreeing with the model, and they describe oscillatory behavior observed by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy.

Outcomes measured

• ROS dynamics/oscillations
• Radical pair dynamics in mitochondrial Complex III
• Superoxide production
• Mitochondrial membrane potential
• Oscillatory behavior observed via time-lapse fluorescence microscopy
• Frequency-dependent cellular responses to oscillatory magnetic fields

Limitations

• Field strength and exposure parameters are not fully specified in the provided abstract/excerpts (e.g., exact intensities used experimentally, exposure duration).
• Sample size and experimental design details are not provided in the provided abstract/excerpts.
• The work includes a mathematical model and proposed mechanism; extent of experimental validation and controls beyond UV positive control are not fully described in the provided abstract/excerpts.
• Generalizability beyond the specific cancer cell lines mentioned is unclear from the provided abstract/excerpts.

Suggested hubs

• mechanisms-radical-pair (0.95)
  Proposes and discusses a radical-pair/quantum spin mechanism in mitochondrial Complex III as the site of magnetic-field action.
• elf-emf (0.85)
  Focuses on weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields with effects in hertz and sub-hertz ranges.
• in-vitro-studies (0.7)
  Reports experiments in DU and HELA cancer cell lines with ROS and mitochondrial potential outcomes.

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    "main_findings": "Using a mathematical model of ROS dynamics in cancer cells, the authors propose that ROS oscillatory patterns can act as a resonator that amplifies small ELF magnetic-field effects on radical-pair dynamics in mitochondrial Complex III. They report frequency-dependent effects (hertz and sub-hertz; specifically noting observations at 0.02 and 0.04 Hz) of oscillatory magnetic fields on ROS concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential in DU and HELA cell lines, described as agreeing with the model, and they describe oscillatory behavior observed by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy.",
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        "Sample size and experimental design details are not provided in the provided abstract/excerpts.",
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        "Generalizability beyond the specific cancer cell lines mentioned is unclear from the provided abstract/excerpts."
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