The role of spin biochemistry in bioenergetics and reactive oxygen species product channeling

This study presents experimental data and related theoretical calculations for the effects of static and radio frequency magnetic fields in the biological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This paper discusses a mechanism of spin-biochemistry providing a fundamental relation between bioenergetics and ROS product channeling. Intracellular superoxide (O
2
^.−
) and extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
) were investigated in vitro along with respiration and glycolysis with primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Theoretical analysis considers RF magnetic field effects in a one-proton radical pair model. HUVECs were exposed to either 50 µT static magnetic fields (SMF), or to static magnetic fields combined with 1.4 or 7MHz RF magnetic fields in parallel or perpendicular corresponding to Zeeman and hyperfine interactions, respectively. We observe differential changes in bioenergetics and in consumption of O
2
^.−
and production H
2
O
2
as a function of angle between SMF and RF magnetic fields. There are several notable results from the 1.4MHz (Zeeman) preliminary data. In perpendicular mode, both ROS are decreased but not in the same proportion — less O
2
^.−
than H
2
O
2
, respiration is unchanged, whereas glycolytic activity is increased. The decrease in ROS production with enhanced glycolytic activity may be due to effective scavenging of ROS by pyruvate. In parallel mode, a decrease in O
2
^.−
and an increase in H
2
O
2
is observed, respiration is increased, whereas glycolysis is unchanged. The orientation effects that lead to specific ROS product distribution is consistent with the spin biochemistry model; however, we do not know the specific spin biochemistry targets or signaling channels that lead to changes in bioenergetics. We propose that O
2
^.−
and H
2
O
2
production in metabolic processes occur through singlet-triplet modulation of semiquinone flavin (FADH
^.
) enzymes and O
2
^.−
spin-correlated radical pairs. Spin-radical pair products are modulated by the RF magnetic fields that presumably decouple flavin hyperfine interactions during spin coherence. RF flavin hyperfine decoupling results in changes of H
2
O
2
singlet state products, which creates cellular oxidative stress and acts as a secondary messenger that affects bioenergetics. This study demonstrates the interplay between O
2
^.−
and H
2
O
2
production when influenced by RF magnetic fields and underscores the subtle effects of low-frequency magnetic fields on oxidative metabolism, ROS signaling, and cellular growth.