Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of magnetic field on food and water intake and body weight of spinal cord injured rats med./bio.

By: Kumar S, Jain S, Behari J, Avelev VD, Mathur R

Published in: Indian J Exp Biol 2010; 48 (10): 982-986

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of magnetic fields on desired restoration of body weight and food intake in an animal model of complete transection of spinal cord.

Background/further details

Weight loss is a common consequence of any surgical injury including complete transection of spinal cord.
Rats were divided into 1) a sham injury group (n=7), 2) a "spinal cord injury + sham exposure" group (n=8) and 3) a "injury + magnetic field exposure" group (n=8). In the injury groups, the spinal cord was transected completely at T13 level. Exposure was started 24 h post injury.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: food intake
body weight

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week, for 8 weeks	magnetic flux density: 17.96 µT

General information

rats were divided into three groups: i) sham spinal cord injury ii) spinal cord injury + sham exposure iii) spinal cord injury + EMF exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week, for 8 weeks

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s)
Setup	outer and inner coils with 8 turns each, connected in series, mounted on a stand; movable platform with rats' cage (6 rats) placed in the center of the coil system
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	17.96 µT	-	measured	-	-

Reference articles

Kirschvink JL (1992): Uniform magnetic fields and double-wrapped coil systems: improved techniques for the design of bioelectromagnetic experiments

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: food and water intake (daily)
body weight (weekly)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Chronic exposure to magnetic field in complete spinal cord transected rats restored food intake, water intake and body weight compared to those injured rats that were sham exposed (group 2).
The data suggest a significant beneficial effect of chronic exposure to magnetic field of paraplegic rats.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Department of Science and Technology (DST), India

Bhattacharyya S et al. (2020): Effect of Low Intensity Magnetic Field Stimulation on Calcium-Mediated Cytotoxicity After Mild Spinal Cord Contusion Injury in Rats
Pal A et al. (2013): Iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic field exposure promote functional recovery by attenuating free radical-induced damage in rats with spinal cord transection
Das S et al. (2012): Exposure to ELF- magnetic field promotes restoration of sensori-motor functions in adult rats with hemisection of thoracic spinal cord
Abbasi M et al. (2007): Constant magnetic field of 50 mT does not affect weight gain and blood glucose level in BALB/c mice
Babbitt JT et al. (2001): Increased body weight in C57BL/6 female mice after exposure to ionizing radiation or 60Hz magnetic fields
Svedenstal BM et al. (1998): Effects of exposure to 50 Hz or 20 kHz magnetic fields on weights of body and some organs of CBA mice
Tsuji Y et al. (1996): Five-tesla static magnetic fields suppress food and water consumption and weight gain in mice
Hilton DI et al. (1981): Growth and metabolism of rodents exposed to 60-Hz electric fields