Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of exposure to 50 Hz electric field at different strengths on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in the brain tissue of guinea pigs med./bio.

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2008; 84 (7): 581-590

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electric fields can cause oxidative stress in guinea pig brain.

Background/further details

112, approximately 14-week-old, white male guiena pigs were used. Eight hours after exposure period animals were anesthetized and sacrificed by decapitation.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 8 h/day on 3 days

General information

fields were applied a) in vertical direction b) in horizontal direction

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 8 h/day on 3 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup 80 cm x 80 cm x 18 cm wooden frame with copper plates on the top and bottom (vertical field) or on the right and left side (horizontal field); guinea pigs in a plastic cage inside the frame
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 2 kV/m minimum measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 2.5 kV/m - measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 3 kV/m - measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 3.5 kV/m - measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 4 kV/m - measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 4.5 kV/m - measured and calculated - -
electric field strength 5 kV/m maximum measured and calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences among all of the exposure groups and sham exposure groups were found in lipid peroxidation levels and enzyme activities at all electric field strengths and in both field directions.
The authors suggest that further research studies are required to determine the effects of electric fields stronger than 5 kV/m as slight tendencies of changes with higher electric field strenghts could be observed.

Study character:

Study funded by

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