Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of alternating the magnetic field on phosphate metabolism in the nervous system of Helix pomatia med./bio.

By: Nikolic LM, Rokic MB, Todorovic NV, Kartelija GS, Nedeljkovic MS, Zakrzewska JS

Published in: Biol Res 2010; 43 (2): 243-250

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on the nervous system metabolism of the garden snail Helix pomatia.

Background/further details

For ³¹P NMR spectroscopy 20 snails were exposed (10 snails for seven days and 10 snails for 16 days) and eight snails were sham exposed for seven days. For biochemical analysis three snails were exposed for seven days and four snails for 16 days (the control group consisted of five snails).

Endpoint

phosphate metabolism and intracellular pH level in snail ganglion (level of phosphate compounds and different enzyme activities)

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 7 or 16 days	magnetic flux density: 0.5 mT average over time (at the middle of the box)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	continuous for 7 or 16 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	solenoid
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	20 cm
Setup	solenoid with a regular laminated transformer core and pole dimensions of 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm used as electromagnet; snails were placed in a 26 cm x 43 cm x 15 cm polycarbonate box in front of the magnet
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.5 mT	average over time	measured	-	at the middle of the box

Exposed system:

invertebrate
large garden snail (Helix pomatia)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

intracellular pH level (evaluated via inorganic phosphate level) and phosphate metabolism in snail ganglion (level of different phosphate compounds (³¹P NMR spectroscopy) and different enzyme activities (total ATPases, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, acid phosphatase; spectrophotometry)

Investigated system:

isolated ganglions and ganglion homogenates and supernatants

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure of snails to the extremely low frequency magnetic field for a period of seven days shifted intracellular pH toward more alkaline conditions, and increased the activity of investigated enzymes involved in phosphate turnover. Prolonged exposure for the period of 16 days caused a decrease of phosphocreatine and ATP levels and decreased enzyme activities, compared to the seven day exposure.
The authors conclude that exposure to the extremely low frequency magnetic field for a period of seven days increased the overall phosphate turnover in the snail nervous system, while after prolonged exposure phosphate metabolism adopt to the exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Serbia

Chen C et al. (2009): Enhancement of the hydrolysis activity of F0F1-ATPases using 60 Hz magnetic fields
Moghadam MK et al. (2008): 50 Hz alternating extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect excitability, firing and action potential shape through interaction with ionic channels in snail neurones
Partsvania B et al. (2008): Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields effects on the snail single neurons
Blank M et al. (1996): The threshold for Na,K-ATPase stimulation by electromagnetic fields
Blank M et al. (1995): Effects of low frequency magnetic fields on Na,K-ATPase activity
Balaban PM et al. (1990): Influence of a stationary magnetic field on bioelectric properties of snail neurons