Objective To investigate changes in nucleus pulposus cell expression and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- following stimulation with a low-frequency (LF) pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF). Methods Primary rat nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured invitro, followed by stimulation with LF-PEMFs at a frequency of 2Hz and different intensities, ranging from 0.5-3.0A/m. Cells were observed for morphological changes, and proliferation rates were measured by cell viability counts. Expression of IL-1 and TNF- within the nucleus pulposus cells was measured using western blotting, and levels of IL-1 and TNF- secreted in the culture media were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Stimulation of nucleus pulposus cells with LF-PEMFs did not appear to affect cell morphology or nucleus pulposus cell IL-1 and TNF- expression levels. LF-PEMFs did not significantly affect cell proliferation, however, levels of IL-1 and TNF- secreted into the culture media were found to be significantly reduced in an intensity-dependent manner. Conclusion Low-frequency PEMF stimulation may inhibit secretion of IL-1 and TNF- in cultured nucleus pulposus cells.