Objective: 

It is known that magnetic fields have effects on the cellular level on many biological processes through membranes, ions, oxygen radicals and enzymes. Some effects are observed while the magnetic field is applied, for some processes the effects are observed after the exposure. This study evaluates the effects of magnetic field exposure on platelets during the process of aggregation, using a modified aggregometer.

Methods: 

Blood samples from healthy volunteers were anticoagulated using citrate (n=27) or heparin (n=26). Platelet-rich plasma samples were prepared. A mechanical stirring device was attached to the aggregometer instead of the magnetic stir bar system in the aggregometer. The platelet-rich plasma samples were stirred using a stirring rod that did not produce any magnetic fields (neutral) in one channel of the aggregometer, and in the other channel a stirring rod that produced a similar magnetic field as the magnetic stir bars used in a standard aggregometer were used. A magnetic field with a frequency range of 0–15Hz and an amplitude range of 1.9–65 mT was applied to the platelets assigned to the channel with the magnetic stirring rod. Aggregation was induced using ADP, collagen and epinephrine. The slopes, maximum aggregation and area under the curve values of the aggregation curves were compared for the neutral and magnetic stirring rod groups.

Results: 

For samples exposed to a magnetic field, for both citrate and heparin groups, a significant decrease was observed for all the parameters evaluated for aggregations induced using ADP and collagen.

Conclusions: 

This observation gives rise to the thought that magnetic field exposure inhibits an active process during platelet aggregation.