J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  1997 Dec;1(1):162-169.

Effect of High-field Magnetic Resonance on Morphology of Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

• Chun KA
• Shinn KS

Abstract

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have been performed about the various safety consideration of magnetic resonance(MR). Multiple investigators have failed to reveal any deleterious defects of MR. On the other hand, several studies have demonstrated detectable biologic effects of high-field MR produces any morphologic changes on the cell membrane and intracellular ultrastructures in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of normal human adults by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. Exposure to MR was performed with 4.69T and 11.74T MR spectrometer with a radio frequency(RF) pulse of 200MHz and 500MHz. Exposure times varyed from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The cells were fixed immediately, 1, 3, 7 days after MR exposure. Morphologic evaluation was examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).
RESULTS
Under TEM there was cell transformation including cellular membrane, nucleus and intracellular microorganelles on lymphocytes exposed to MR. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was not significantly increased after 4.69T MR exposure, whereas the percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significant increased after 11.74T MR exposure(P<0.05) compared with that of control. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significantly increased at the long incubation period in control and MR exposure group(P<0.05). No change according to MR exposure time and RF pulse sequence was noted.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to high-field MR induces morphologic transformations of lymphocytes in vitro. Additional studies have to be performed before definitive conclusion can be reached about the safety of high-field MR.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cell Membrane
Centrifugation
Hand
Humans*
Lymphocytes*
Membranes
Research Personnel