Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Myocardial protection conferred by electromagnetic fields med./bio.

Published in: Circulation 1999; 99 (6): 813-816

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of a 60 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) on the survival rate of chicken embryos.

Background/further details

EMF-exposure may induce heat shock proteins and these proteins have been shown to play a crucial, role among other thing, in recovery from ischemia. Therefore, it was hypothesized that EMF exposure could activate stress response in vivo and thus may protect myocardial tissue during anoxia.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 20 min
Exposure 2: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 20 min
Exposure 3: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 20 min

General information

First series of experiments

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT effective value measured - -
magnetic flux density 8 µT effective value measured - -
magnetic flux density 6 µT effective value measured - -
magnetic flux density 4 µT effective value measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 8 µT effective value measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 8 µT effective value measured - plus 8 µT EM noise.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The obtained data indicate that EM field (60 Hz, 2-10 µT, for 20 minutes) protection was extremely significant. Survival rate was 68.7% in exposed embryos and 39.6% in controls.
In a second set of experiments, embryos were pretreated under several conditions (e.g. a) hyperthermia 43°C, b) 60 Hz, 8 µT without noise, c) 60 Hz, 8 µT plus random noise) prior a 20 min exposure. Embryo survival was 37.7% (control), 57.6% (heated), 69% (60 Hz filed only), and 41.5% (60 Hz filed plus noise).
The authors conclude that athermal EM filed exposure induce stress responses that protect chick embryo myocardium from anoxia damage.

Study character:

Study funded by

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