Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Alterations of Hematological Variations in Rats Exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields (50Hz) med./bio.

By: Cakir DU, Yokus B, Akdag MZ, Sert C, Mete N

Published in: Arch Med Res 2009; 40 (5): 352-356

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible effects of in vivo exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on whole blood parameters (hematological parameters) in rats.

Background/further details

48 female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: two exposure groups (50 and 100 days) and two sham exposure groups.

Endpoint

effects on the immune system: different whole blood parameters

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 3 h/day on 50 days (group 1) or 100 days (group 2)	magnetic flux density: 0.97 mT mean (+/- 0.136 mT)

General information

The magnetic field used in this study is within the limits of occupational and public environment EMF exposure guidelines and it exists in both public and occupational environments.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 3 h/day on 50 days (group 1) or 100 days (group 2)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Helmholtz coils
Setup	two pairs of Helmholtz coils with a diameter of 25 cm and 255 turns of 1.0 mm insulated soft copper wire; coils 25 cm apart; one pair positioned horizontally and the other vertically; rats placed in 17 cm x 17 cm x 25 cm metacrylate boxes for exposure
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.97 mT	mean	measured	-	+/- 0.136 mT

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the immune system: different whole blood parameter (number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils, erythrocytes indexes (e.g. hemoglobin, hematocrit) and different platelet indexes
liver weight and body weight

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
isolated organ
blood samples
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

immune system

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Eosinophil, hemoglobin and mean platelet volume levels significantly decreased in rats exposed to the electromagnetic field for 50 days. Mean platelet volume levels were significantly lower in rats exposed for 100 days compared to the 50 day exposure group. There was no significant difference in any other paramter between the exposed and sham-exposed groups. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure had no effect neither on body weight nor on liver weight.
The data indicate that the applied electromagnetic field exposure may induce slight but statistically significant alterations in some hematological parameters of rats, within the physiological range.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Wang J et al. (2021): The effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure at 1 mT on hemogram and blood biochemistry in rats
Wyszkowska J et al. (2018): Evaluation of the influence of in vivo exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats
Ansarihadipour H et al. (2016): Influence of Electromagnetic Fields on Lead Toxicity: A Study of Conformational Changes in Human Blood Proteins
Seifpanahi-Shabani H et al. (2016): Long-term Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field and Melatonin Production by Blood Cells
Lai J et al. (2016): Effects of 100 µT extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on hematograms and blood chemistry in rats
Sagdilek E et al. (2012): Investigation of the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on platelet aggregation using a modified aggregometer
Okudan N et al. (2010): Effects of long-term 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on the micro nucleated polychromatic erythrocyte and blood lymphocyte frequency and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in lymphocytes of mice
Cicekcibasi AE et al. (2008): Determination of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the percentages of peripheral blood leukocytes and histology of lymphoid organs of the mouse
Hashish AH et al. (2008): Assessment of biological changes of continuous whole body exposure to static magnetic field and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in mice
Bonhomme-Faivre L et al. (2003): Effects of electromagnetic fields on the immune systems of occupationally exposed humans and mice
Ali FM et al. (2003): Effect of 50 Hz, 0.2 mT magnetic fields on RBC properties and heart functions of albino rats
Arafa HM et al. (2003): Immunomodulatory effects of L-carnitine and q10 in mouse spleen exposed to low-frequency high-intensity magnetic field
Dasdag S et al. (2002): Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on hematologic and immunologic parameters in welders
Marino AA et al. (2001): Nonlinear determinism in the immune system. In vivo influence of electromagnetic fields on different functions of murine lymphocyte subpopulations
Marino AA et al. (2001): Nonlinear dynamical law governs magnetic field induced changes in lymphoid phenotype
Bonhomme-Faivre L et al. (1998): Study of human neurovegetative and hematologic effects of environmental low-frequency (50-Hz) electromagnetic fields produced by transformers
Fiorani M et al. (1997): In vitro effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on oxidatively damaged rabbit red blood cells
Seto YJ et al. (1986): Chronic 60-Hz electric field exposure-induced subtle bioeffects on hematology