Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Histological, Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Studies of the Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effect on Thymus, Spleen and Liver of Albino Swiss Mice med./bio.

By: Attia AA, Yehia MA

Published in: Pak J Biol Sci 2002; 5 (9): 931-937

Two groups of mice (control group and experimnetal) were used (n=10 per group).

morphol./histopathol. changes: histopathology of thymus, spleen and liver; ultrastrucuture of liver

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 10, 20 or 50 days	magnetic flux density: 100 µT

Exposure source	not specified

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	100 µT	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

Investigated system:

Time of investigation:

While the tissue slices from the control group appeared normal, the histopathological examination revealed damages in the tissue from exposed mice, especially after 20 and 50 days of exposure:
In the thymus of exposed mice, a moderate loss of lymphocyte populations was found after 20 days, while pycnotic cells were found after 50 days. Moreover, the thymus tissue showed an increase in the enzyme activity of the glutathione S-transferase.
In the spleen of exposed mice, depletion of splenocytes and the presence of megakaryocytes were observed and lesions in the spleen tissue became more prominent when the exposure time was prolonged. Additionally, the enzyme activity of the glutathione S-transferase was gradually decreased due to the exposure time.
Also in the liver of exposed mice, the enzyme activity of the glutathione S-transferase decreased in a time-dependent manner. Ultrastructural examination of the liver from exposed mice revealed highly irregular nuclei, autolyzed chromatin and degenerated mitochondria.
The authors conclude that exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields could have a deleterious effect on the thymus, spleen and liver from mice.

Study character:

Mahaki H et al. (2019): The effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on c-Maf, STAT6, and RORα expressions in spleen and thymus of rat
Luo X et al. (2016): Occupational exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields does not alter responses of inflammatory genes and activation of splenic lymphocytes in mice
Gholampour F et al. (2011): Prolonged Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Affects Endocrine Secretion and Structure of Pancreas in Rats
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
Zare S et al. (2007): Histological studies of the low frequency electromagnetic fields effect on liver, testes and kidney in guinea pigs
Quaglino D et al. (2004): The effect on rat thymocytes of the simultaneous in vivo exposure to 50-Hz electric and magnetic field and to continuous light
Thun-Battersby S et al. (1999): Lymphocyte subset analyses in blood, spleen and lymph nodes of female Sprague-Dawley rats after short or prolonged exposure to a 50 Hz 100-microT magnetic field