Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Light-dependent effects of magnetic fields on nitric oxide activation in the land snail med./bio.

By: Kavaliers M, Prato FS
Published in: NeuroReport 1999; 10 (9): 1863-1867
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Aim of study (acc. to author and editor)

To investigate the light dependency of the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields on the opioid analgesia mediated behavioural changes in the land snail Cepaea nemoralis.

Background/further details

Analgesia is mediated by opioids, either exogenous (e.g. morphine) or endogenous (e.g. enkephalin, endorphin). It is assumed that ELF magnetic field exposure reduces this effect caused by opioids and light has a modulatory role. In order to investigate this issue the behaviour of land snails on thermal stimuli (i.e. foot-lifting response on hotplate) was examined under dark and light conditions. To specific biochemical pathways involved in opioid analgesia were surveyed in detail: 1) Nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway including L-arginine. 2) Use of SCH34826, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme enkephalinase.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 30 min

General information

Snails were injected with L-arginine , inactive enatinomer, D-arginine or saline vehicle and exposed to magnetic field either in the presence or absence of light.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup snails were placed in the center of the coil
Additional info In the light condition (1.8 W/m²) a group of 10 snails was placed into translucent plastic containers made of identical top and bottom halves (12 cm², 5 cm high). For dark exposures the top and the bottom plastic containers were covered with black electrical tape. Once the snails were placed in the darkened containers, the two halves were taped togather.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 141 µT peak value measured - -
Additional parameter details

Ambient static field at both exposure and sham exposure locations was 17 µT horizontal and 28 µT vertical.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results of this study suggest a general light dependency of the action of ELF magnetic fields. Furthermore nitric oxide (NO) seems to be involved in the mediation of the effects caused by the magnetic fields.

Study character:

Study funded by

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