Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Assessing of plasma protein denaturation induced by exposure to cadmium, electromagnetic fields and their combined actions on rat med./bio.

By: Hassan NS, Abdelkawi SA

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2014; 33 (2): 147-153

To investigate the effects of cadmium administration and/or extremely low frequency magnetic fields on potential oxidative damage in proteins in the blood of rats.

Cadmium is a heavy metal and carcinogenic to humans (class I carcinogen as classified by IARC).
Rats were divided into four groups (n=8, respectively): 1.) control group (saline administration), 2.) cadmium administration (3 mg CdCl₂ per kg body weight), 3.) magnetic field exposure and 4.) cadmium administration + magnetic field exposure.

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: for 30 consecutive days (remark EMF-Portal: not stated how many hours per day)	magnetic flux density: 0 T minimum magnetic flux density: 3.1 T maximum magnetic flux density: 10 mT (10 mT/hour/day due to authors)

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	for 30 consecutive days (remark EMF-Portal: not stated how many hours per day)

Exposure source	coil(s)
Setup	an electromagnet with two coils was used; temperature was 23 ± 2°C

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0 T	minimum	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	3.1 T	maximum	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	10 mT	-	-	-	10 mT/hour/day due to authors

Exposed system:

Investigated system:

Time of investigation:

Cadmium administration (group 2) or magnetic field exposure (group 3) caused a significant increase in the total oxidant status, the content of carbonyl groups and the electrical conductivity in comparison to the control group, while a combined treatment with cadmium and magnetic field (group 4) led to a further significant increase of these parameters compared to all other groups. Additionally, the SDS-PAGE profile was changed in all treatment groups (group 2, 3, and 4) when compared to the control group.
The authors conclude that combined treatment with cadmium and magnetic field exposure could increase the risk of plasma damage in rats via oxidative stress.

Study character:

Ansarihadipour H et al. (2016): Influence of Electromagnetic Fields on Lead Toxicity: A Study of Conformational Changes in Human Blood Proteins
Seifirad S et al. (2014): Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on paraoxonase serum activity and lipid peroxidation metabolites in rat
Amara S et al. (2011): Effects of static magnetic field and cadmium on oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat cortex brain and hippocampus
Martinez-Samano J et al. (2010): Effects of acute electromagnetic field exposure and movement restraint on antioxidant system in liver, heart, kidney and plasma of Wistar rats: A preliminary report
Coskun S et al. (2009): Effects of continuous and intermittent magnetic fields on oxidative parameters in vivo
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Amara S et al. (2009): Effect of static magnetic field and/or cadmium in the antioxidant enzymes activity in rat heart and skeletal muscle
Chater S et al. (2008): Influence of Static Magnetic Field on Cadmium Toxicity: Study of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Pregnant Rat Tissues
Amara S et al. (2006): Influence of static magnetic field on cadmium toxicity: Study of oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat tissues