Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of long-term pulsed electromagnetic field exposure on hepatic and immunologic functions of rats med./bio.

By: Li BL, Li W, Bi JQ, Zhao JG, Qu ZW, Lin C, Yang SL, Meng QG, Yue Q
Published in: Wien Klin Wochenschr 2015; 127 (23-24): 959-962
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of a chronic exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field on liver damage, immunologic parameters and oxidative stress in serum, liver and spleen should be investigated.

Background/further details

32 rats were divided into 4 groups (probably n=8 each; not specified): exposure to a magnetic field with 1) 5 mT, 2) 10 mT or 3) 20 mT and 4) sham exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 weeks
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 weeks
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 weeks

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 10 weeks
Additional info pulses
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup a pair of Helmholtz coils with a mean radius of 15 ± 0.3 cm, respectively, and a mean horizontal distance of 15 ± 0.5 cm between the coils was positioned vertically to the horizontal plane; temperature was maintained at 22°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - measured - at the center of the coils

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 10 weeks
Additional info pulses
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - at the center of the coils

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 10 weeks
Additional info pulses
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 20 mT - measured - at the center of the coils

Reference articles

  • Zhang M et al. (2013): Effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on proliferation of human epidermal stem cells: An in vitro study
  • Shen WW et al. (2010): Pulsed electromagnetic fields stimulation affects BMD and local factor production of rats with disuse osteoporosis

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The content of all immunoglobulins in the serum decreased gradually with increasing intensity of the magnetic field exposure, with all exposure groups (groups 1-3) showing significantly reduced values compared to the sham exposure group. Likewise, the enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum increased gradually with increasing intensity of the magnetic field exposure, with all exposure groups showing significantly higher values than the sham exposure group.
Oxidative stress was increased in serum, liver and spleen with increasing intensity of the magnetic field, with groups 2 (10 mT) and 3 (20 mT) showing a significant increased lipid peroxidation and significant decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities compared to the sham exposure group.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field might have detrimental effects on the liver and immunologic parameters and could induce oxidative stress in serum, liver and spleen.

Study character:

Study funded by

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