Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of electromagnetic fields and antioxidants on the trace element content of rat teeth med./bio.

By: Dogan MS, Yavas MC, Yavuz Y, Erdogan S, Yener İ, Simsek İ, Akkus Z, Eratilla V, Tanik A, Akdag MZ

Published in: Drug Des Devel Ther 2017; 11: 1393-1398

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effect of an extremely low frequency magnetic and electric field on trace elements in rat teeth and the possible protecting effect of melatonin and Ganoderma lucidum.

Background/further details

Four groups (group sizes not stated) of male rats were examined respectively for 26 days or for 52 days: 1) control group, 2) exposure group, 3) exposure group and administration of Ganoderma lucidum (20 mg/kg body weight, administered orally) and 4) exposure group and administration of melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight, injected intraperitoneally on a daily basis).
Ganoderma lucidum (also called "lingzhi mushroom" or "reishi mushroom") is a mushroom which is used as an alternative medicine.

Endpoint

trace elements in teeth

Exposure

- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: LF (< 10 MHz)	magnetic flux density: 2.48 µT mean electric field strength: 80.3 V/m

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	LF (< 10 MHz)
Type	electric field magnetic field
Additional info	extremely low frequency

Exposure setup

Chamber	rats were exposed in plexiglas cages
Setup	two transformers were used, which generated the fields
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	2.48 µT	mean	measured	-	-
electric field strength	80.3 V/m	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

trace elements (lithium, boron, magnesium, calcium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, arsen, selenium, strontium, silver, cadmium, lead, phosphorus) in teeth (mass spectrometry)

Investigated system:

isolated organ
teeth

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In rats exposed for 52 days (group 2) (also for 26 days? contradictory statements), the level of zinc was significantly decreased compared to the control group (group 1). Rats exposed for 52 days and given melatonin (group 4) (also group 3 with Ganoderma lucidum? contradictory statements) showed significantly increased concentrations of zinc (and strontium? contradictory statements) in the teeth (similar to the control group) when compared to the exposure group without additives (group 2).
The authors conclude that extremely low frequency magnetic and electric fields could influence the content of trace elements in rat teeth and the administration of melatonin (and Ganoderma lucidum?) could prevent these alterations.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Erdem O et al. (2018): Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Magnetic Fields on Trace Element Levels in Guinea Pigs
do Nascimento C et al. (2012): Effect of electromagnetic field on bone regeneration around dental implants after immediate placement in the dog mandible: a pilot study
Ince B et al. (2012): Can exposure to manganese and extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect some important elements in the rat teeth?
Kargul B et al. (2011): Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on enamel microhardness in rats
Skomro P et al. (2009): Limited effect of low frequency magnetic fields on the concentrations of calcium, magnesium and fluoride in saliva
Yavuz I et al. (2008): Influences of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on mineral and trace elements content of rat teeth
Kaya S et al. (2008): The effects of extremly low frequency magnetic field and mangan to the oral tissues
Alwas-Danowska HM (2004): The effect of direct and alternating electrical currents on the vessel walls of the tooth pulp - TEM studies