Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of various extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the free radical processes, natural antioxidant system and respiratory burst system activities in the heart and liver tissues med./bio.

By: Canseven AG, Coskun S, Seyhan N

Published in: Indian J Biochem Biophys 2008; 45 (5): 326-331

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on free radical levels, natural antioxidant systems and respiratory burst system activities in heart and liver tissues of guinea pigs.

Background/further details

62 male guinea pigs were divided into seven groups: Group I (control group), II (1 mT, 4 h/day), III (1 mT, 8 h/day), IV (2 mT, 4 h/day), V (2 mT, 8 h/day), VI (3 mT, 4 h/day), and VII (3 mT, 8 h/day).

Endpoint

cell function: oxidative stress response

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: 4 h/day or 8 h/day - for 5 days	magnetic flux density: 1 mT magnetic flux density: 2 mT magnetic flux density: 3 mT

General information

animals were treated in 7 groups: i) sham ii) 1 mT for 4 h/d iii) 1 mT for 8 h/d iv) 2 mT for 4 h/d v) 2 mT for 8 h/d vi) 3 mT for 4 h/d vii) 3 mT for 8 h/d

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	4 h/day or 8 h/day - for 5 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Helmholtz coils
Setup	vertical pairs of circular Helmholtz coils; animals kept in 26 cm x 22 cm x 10 cm polycarbonate cages positioned at the center of the coils
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1 mT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	2 mT	-	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	3 mT	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
guinea pig
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: oxidative stress response: levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione (spectrophotometry) and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity

Investigated system:

tissue homogenates/supernatants

Investigated organ system:

liver, heart

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Malondialdehyde levels increased in liver in groups II and IV, but decreased in group VII for both liver and heart tissues. Nitric oxide levels declined in heart in groups II and III and in liver in groups III, V, and VI, but increased in liver in group VII. Glutathione levels increased in heart in groups II, IV, V, and VI, and in liver in groups VI and VII, but decreased in groups II and IV in liver.
Myeloperoxidase enzyme activity decreased in liver in groups III, IV, VI and VII with respect to control group and in heart tissues in groups II, III and IV; however, there was a significant increase myeloperoxidase enzyme activity in heart in group VII.
In conclusion, the data demonstrated that electromagnetic fields induced oxidative stress by enhancing lipid peroxidation and reducing glutathione level which act as a free radical scavanger only for magnetic field of 1 and 2 mT with exposure period of 4 h. Nitric oxid levels and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity decreased in all exposure groups except for 3 mT, 8 h.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Gazi University Research Foundation, Turkey

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