Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant med./bio.

By: Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Zhang H, Sun Y, Sun C
Published in: Oncotarget 2017; 8 (29): 47497-47506
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic and electric fields on several markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in power plant employees and the possible protective role of resveratrol.

Background/further details

In total, 1080 male subjects were enrolled (n=1370 were excluded because they did not meet inclusion criteria). Workers from the exposed (n=603) and from the reference group (n=477) were randomly assigned to a resveratrol administration (exposed n=314, from which 97 were analyzed; reference n=263, from which 89 samples were analyzed) and a placebo group (exposed n=289, from which 83 samples were analyzed; reference n=214, from which 71 were analyzed). Subjects were matched regarding age and BMI.
Resveratrol (a phytoalexin with antioxidant properties) or the placebo was administered twice a day (500 mg respectively) for a period of 12 month. Blood and urine samples were collected at the beginning and at the end (month 0 and 12) of the resveratrol supplementation.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: more than 20 years

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration more than 20 years
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 20 µT mean measured - -
electric field strength 1,426 V/m mean measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The oxidative stress markers 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and F2-isoprostane were significantly increased in exposed workers at the beginning of the observation period compared with the reference group while the inflammatory markers nuclear factor kappa B and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased. The in vitro cytokine production after lipopolysaccharides stimulation was significantly impaired in blood of exposed workers (significantly lower levels of nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta) compared to the reference group. After twelve month of resveratrol supplementation all altered parameters were restored and similar to the reference group which was not the case with placebo intake.
The authors conclude that occupational long-term-exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic and electric fields have an adverse effect on homeostasis of power plant workers and that resveratrol could help to prevent these inbalance.

Study character:

Study funded by

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