Potential risk resulting from the influence of static magnetic field upon living organisms. Numerically simulated effects of the static magnetic field upon model complex lipids

Abstract

Background: Recognising effects of static magnetic field (SMF) of varying flux density on flora and fauna is attempted. For this purpose, the influence of static magnetic field is studied for molecules of five complex lipids i.e. such as β-carotene, sphingosine, ceramide, cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine. Methods: Computations of the effect of real SMF 0.0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 AMFU (Arbitrary Magnetic Field Unit; here 1AMFU > 1000 T) flux density were performed in silico (computer vacuum), involving advanced computational methods. Results: SMF polarises molecules depending on applied flux density. Only β-carotene survives exposure to SMF of 10 and 100 AMFU without radical splitting of some valence bonds. Molecules of remaining lipids suffered radical cleavage of some bonds on exposure to SMF of 10 and 100 AMFU. Manipulation with applied flux density provides either inhibition or stimulation of biological functions of the lipids under study. Conclusions: SMF destabilises complex lipids to the extent depending applied flux density. Biological functions of β-carotene are fairly sensitive to SMF, whereas only slight response to the effect of SMF is observed in case of sphingosine, ceramide and cholesterol. Enzymatic hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is stimulated by SMF regardless of the catalysed enzyme employed.