Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to ELF- magnetic field promotes restoration of sensori-motor functions in adult rats with hemisection of thoracic spinal cord med./bio.

By: Das S, Kumar S, Jain S, Avelev VD, Mathur R
Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2012; 31 (3): 180-194
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of chronic exposure of rats with hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord on the restoration of sensory-motor functions should be investigated.

Background/further details

Rats were divided into 2 groups (n=10 each): 1) rats with hemisection of thoracic spinal cord and exposure to the magnetic field and 2) rats with hemisection of thoracic spinal cord and sham exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day for 6 weeks, starting on day 1 after surgery

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day for 6 weeks, starting on day 1 after surgery
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber non-metallic cage
Setup six rats placed in a cage in the center of a Helmholtz coil system; coil system consisting of 2 outer and 2 inner coils (diameter of 1000 mm) with 18 and 8 turns of wire; coils connected in series
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 17.96 µT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Rakesh RM et al. (2008): Threshold of pain in chronic magnetic field- (50 Hz, 17.9 microT) exposed rats: effect of sucrose ingestion
  • 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

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The food intake was significantly higher in rats exposed to the magnetic field in weeks 5 and 6 compared to sham exposed rats.
The motorial functions were significantly improved in the exposure group from week 2 on compared to the sham exposure group.
Nociception was significantly improved in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group from week 3 on.
The urinary bladder control was significantly better in the exposure group from days 4 to 6 compared to the sham exposure group, with a complete restoration of function from day 5 on. On day 7, the urinary bladder function was restored completely in both groups.
The H-reflex amplitude was significantly reduced in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure of rats with hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord might improve the restoration of sensory-motor functions.

Study character:

Study funded by

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