Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Magnetic Fields on Trace Element Levels in Guinea Pigs. med./bio.

By: Erdem O, Akay C, Cevher SC, Canseven AG, Aydin A, Seyhan N
Published in: Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 181 (2): 265-271
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields on trace elements in serum, femur, brain, kidney, and liver tissue of guinea pigs.

Background/further details

Male guinea pigs (n=29) were divided into 5 groups: 1) continuous magnetic field exposure for 4 days, 2) continuous magnetic field exposure for 7 days, 3) intermittent magnetic field exposure (2 hours on - 2 hours off - 2 hours on) for 4 days, 4) intermittent magnetic field exposure (2 hours on - 2 hours off - 2 hours on) for 7 days and 5) control group. Experimental groups (groups 1-4) constisted of 6 animals, respectively, and the control group of 5 animals.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 hours/day for 4 days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 hours/day for 7 days
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: intermittent for 4 hours/day for 4 days
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: intermittent for 4 hours/day for 7 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 4 hours/day for 4 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 2 animals per plastic cage
Setup cages were put in the center of the Helmholtz coils; magnetic field was perpendicular to the bottom plane of the cage; current was generated by a specially designed variable transformer with a power of 2.7 kVA
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 4 hours/day for 7 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent for 4 hours/day for 4 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent for 4 hours/day for 7 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.5 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In serum, the level of copper was significantly increased in all experimental groups (groups 1-4) as compared to the control group (group 5). Additionally, the level of magnesium was significantly increased in the groups continuously (group 1) or intermittently (group 3) exposed for 4 days compared to the control group.
In femur tissue, the levels of copper and zinc were significantly higher in the groups continuously exposed for 4 (group 1) or 7 days (group 2) in comparison to the control group.
In brain tissue, the level of magnesium was significantly increased in groups continuously (group 1) and intermittently exposed for 4 days (group 3) compared to the control group.
In kidney tissue, the level of copper was significantly increased in nearly all experimental groups (groups 1, 2, and 4) in comparison to the control group while the level of magnesium was significantly increased in continuously exposed groups (groups 1 and 2).
In liver tissue, the level of calcium was signifcantly decreased in guinea pigs continuously exposed for 4 days (group 1) and significantly increased in animals intermittently exposed for 4 days (group 3) when compared to the control group. The level of magnesium was significantly increased in the group continuously exposed for 4 days (group 1) compared to the control group.
The authours conclude that continuous and intermittent exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field could disturb the homeostasis of trace elements in guinea pigs.

Study character:

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