Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Pro-oxidant effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in the land snail Helix aspersa med./bio.

By: Regoli F, Gorbi S, Machella N, Tedesco S, Benedetti M, Bocchetti R, Notti A, Fattorini D, Piva F, Principato G
Published in: Free Radic Biol Med 2005; 39 (12): 1620-1628
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Pro-oxidant effects of extremely low frequency 50 Hz magnetic fields were investigated in the land snail Helix aspersa exposed both in short-term laboratory treatments and under field conditions by maintaining the animals in the proximity of a power line for up to 2 months

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10, 20, 40, and 60 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 10 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Exposure was carried out in a Helmholtz coil chamber (100 cm in diameter) with two solenoids producing a highly homogeneous field. During exposures, snails were maintained in plastic cages inside the Helmholtz coil system.
Additional info Background environmental field measured was lower than 0.1 µT.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.5 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 2.5 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 50 µT - measured - -
Measurement and calculation details

The magnetic field inside the chamber was measured with a precision gaussmeter, and the maximum variation between the theoretical calculation and the registered value was ±2%.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 10, 20, 40, and 60 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup For "natural" field exposures, organisms were transplanted in plastic cages in the proximity of a power line. Two sites were selected with different intensities of the magnetic field.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.75 µT - measured - ± 0.06 µT
magnetic flux density 2.88 µT - measured - ± 0.12 µT
Measurement and calculation details

Measurements were carried out every 4 h each day for 5 days before placing the organisms and reported weekly during the time course of the experiment.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data indicated an oxidative challenge caused by extremely low frequency magnetic fields with prompt and sensitive responses for catalase, glutathione reductase, and the overall capability to neutralize peroxyl radicals. Cell injuries occurred to different extents according to intensity and duration of extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure and confirmed complex cause-effect relationships between pro-oxidant factors, efficiency of antioxidant defenses, and the onset of oxidative toxicity.
This study highlights the importance of a multimarker approach for detecting a wide panel of biological responses and the necessity of investigating the long-term effects of early oxidative responses.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles