Static magnetic field inhibits 5′ nucleotidase activity in cancerous and non-cancerous human gastric tissues

The aim of the present study is to investigate possible effects of static magnetic field (SMF) on 5′ nucleotidase (5′NT-CD73) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in cancerous and non-cancerous human gastric tissues in order to contribute to the elucidation of the anticancer activity of SMF. Cancerous and non-cancerous human gastric tissues removed from patients by surgical operations were used in the studies. SMF was created using two static magnets. Before and after treatment with SMF, 5′NT and XO activities in the tissue samples were measured. 5′NT activity was found to be lowered, but no significant change was observed in XO activity in the gastric tissues treated with the SMF. Our results suggest that SMF inhibits 5′NT enzyme in gastric tissues significantly. It is supposed that in addition to other proposed mechanisms, inhibition of purine catabolic activity due to inhibition of some key enzymes in the DNA turn-over like 5′NT might also play part in the anticancer activity of SMF.