Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Repetitive 50 Hz pulsed electromagnetic field ameliorates the diabetes-induced impairments in the relaxation response of rat thoracic aorta rings med./bio.

By: Kavak S, Emre M, Meral I, Unlugenc H, Pelit A, Demirkazik A
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2009; 85 (8): 672-679
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study mechanic responses and membrane potential changes induced by repetetive pulsed electromagnetic field in thoracic aorta (cut into rings) from diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

Background/further details

Diabetes mellitus is associated with impairments of vascular responsiveness to neurotransmitters. Pulsed electromagnetic fields induce small electrical currents within the body that can cause depolarization, repolarization and hyperpolarization in neurons. It was hypothesized that this could potentially modulate neuronal activity and related vascular responses in rats.
Male rats were divided into four groups (each n=15): 1) diabetes mellitus + exposure, 2) diabetes mellitus + sham exposure, 3) healthy rats + exposure, 4) healthy rats + sham exposure. Streptozotocin was given to produce diabetes mellitus.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 4 x 30 min/day with 15 min intervals, for 30 days

General information

animals were divided into four groups: i) sham exposure ii) exposure to pulsed magnetic fields iii) diabetes mellitus + sham exposure iii) diabetes mellitus + exposure to pulsed magnetic fields

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 4 x 30 min/day with 15 min intervals, for 30 days
Additional info It is not clear why the author calls the field a "pulsed magnetic field". No further information given on type of pulse, pulse length etc.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup 400 mm long solenoid with a diameter of 210 mm, with 1400 turns of 1.4 mm soft copper wire; rats placed in a 40 cm x 17 cm x 13 cm plexiglas cage inside the solenoid; magnetic field homogeneuos in this area
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Itegin M et al. (1995): Effects of static magnetic field on specific adenosine-5'- triphosphatase activities and bioelectrical and biomechanical properties in the rat diaphragm muscle

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Mechanical responses: Contraction of the aorta rings was significantly higher in non-diabetic rats (group 3, 4) than diabetic rats (group 1, 2). Within the diabetic groups, contraction was significantly lower in group 1. After submaximal contraction with phenylephrine, acetylcholine produced a significant relaxation in all aorta rings, which was significantly lower in diabetic groups (group 1, 2). Within the diabetic groups, the relaxation was significantly greater in the exposure group (1).
Membrane potential changes: Resting potentials were significantly higher in diabetic than non-diabetic groups. The pulsed electromagnetic field exposure did not induce significant effects on the membrane potential.
Diabetes reduced the relaxation of thoracic aorta rings and affected the membrane potentials. Treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields improved the diabetes-induced impairments in the relaxation response of the rings.

Study character:

Study funded by

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