Background: Colon cancer is the most common digestive cancer and also the fourth cause of cancer death around the world. On the other hand, many processes can be affected by electromagnetic fields and such fields may have different effects on cells.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field on HT-29 cancer cell line.

Materials and Methods: HT-29 and L929 cell lines were cultured in RPMI medium containing fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Cells were exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic field with intensities of 50, 200 and 400 gauss for 3 hours. Growth, proliferation and morphological changes were photographed using an inverted microscope. MTT assay was used to quantify cell viability.

Results: Viability percent of HT-29 (81.097±2.703) and L929 (89.375±3.672) cell lines in the vicinity of electromagnetic field with intensity of 50 gauss was not significantly decreased compared to the control group. Viability percent of HT-29 (30.807±4.479) and L929 (35.179±4.137) cell lines in the vicinity of electromagnetic field with intensity of 200 gauss was significantly decreased compared to the control group. Moreover, viability percent of HT-29 (18.391±3.091) and L929 (23.046±3.513) cell lines in the vicinity of electromagnetic field with intensity of 400 gauss was significantly decreased compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Electromagnetic field with frequency of 50 Hz and intensities of 200 and 400 gauss has an inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation as well as a cytotoxic effect on HT-29 and L929 cell lines.