Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

In vivo exposure of rats to a weak alternating magnetic field increases ornithine decarboxylase activity in the mammary gland by a similar extent as the carcinogen DMBA med./bio.

By: Mevissen M, Kietzmann M, Loscher W
Published in: Cancer Lett 1995; 90 (2): 207-214
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of a 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on the activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the present or abcense of the chemical carcinogen DMBA in rats.

Background/further details

Four experimantal set ups were accomplished: control (sham exposure), DMBA treatment only, MF-exposure only, and combined DMBA/MF treatment. DMBA (5 mg) was administered orally weekly up to a total dose of 20 mg. 50 Hz/50 µT magnetic field exposure was conducted continuously for 6 weeks.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 24 h /day, 7 days per week for 6 weeks

General information

The rats were divided in 4 groups: Group 1: exposed to magnetic field with DMBA (dimethyl[a]anthtacene), Group 2: exposed to magnetic field without DMBA, Group 3: sham exposed with DMBA, Group 4: sham exposed without DMBA

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 24 h /day, 7 days per week for 6 weeks
Additional info Details of cages and exposure system has been given recently: Luk, G.D., Hamilton, S.R., Yang, P., Smith, J.A., O'Ceallaigh, D., McAvinchey, D., and Hyland, J., (1986) Kinetic changes in mucosal ornithine decarboxylase acticity during azoxymethane-induced colonic carcinogenesis in the rat. Cancer Res., 46, 4449-4452.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Chamber Exposure chamber
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 50 µT unspecified measured cf. remarks -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Only in liver tissue an increased ornithine decarboxylase activity was found during combined DMBA/MF exposition. In all other tissues, e.g. mammary glands, a combined treatment with DMBA and MF was not more effective in increasing enzyme activity than treatment with DMBA alone.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles