The effects of a whole-body exposure of rats to a 60 Hz magnetic field on factors in blood which can provoke atherosclerosis should be investigated.
75 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: 1) sham exposure, 2) 4 h exposure, sacrificed immediately thereafter, 3) 4 h exposure, sacrificed 72 h thereafter, 4) 14 days of exposure, sacrificed immediately thereafter, and 5) 14 days of exposure, sacrificed 72 h thereafter. Blood samples were taken directly after sacrificing and analyzed.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
60 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 4 hours
single exposure
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
60 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 14 days
|
|
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 4 hours |
| Additional info | single exposure |
| Exposure source | |
|---|---|
| Setup | A pair of Helmholtz coils set with winding surrounded in a plexi-glass frame. Through a variable transformer the coils were connected to a 220 V AC power supply. The centrally horizontal magnetic field was homogenous in a plexi-glass cage.To adjust the frequency and intensity, the coils were linked to a waveform generator. |
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Additional info | Sham exposure group was placed in the same cage though the coils were turned off, being exposed to the local geomagnetic field (B-field, horizontal component = 0.018 mT, B-field vertical component = 0.022 mT, B-field total = 0.023 mT and B-field alternating current < 0.002 mT). |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 0.5 mT | - | measured | - | - |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 14 days |
| Additional info | chronic exposure |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 0.5 mT | - | measured | - | - |
The results of all measured parameters of groups 2-5 were compared to the results of the sham exposure (group 1), respectively. A significantly higher paraoxonase enzyme activity, higher levels of conjugated diens, high density lipoprotein and free fatty acids as well as a significantly lower total antioxidative capacity could be observed in group 2 directly after the 4 h exposure. However, 72 h after the 4 h exposure (group 3), no significant alterations could be observed.
For group 4, significant changes of parameters comparable to the results of group 2 could be observed directly after 14 days of exposure, but additionally the level of malondialdehyde was significantly higher. 72 h after the 14-days exposure, the paraoxonase enzyme activity and the level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher and the total antioxidative capacity significantly lower (group 5).
The authors conclude that already a single exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field with 0.5 mT has significant effects on factors in rat blood which can provoke atherosclerosis. However, these effects are reversible. The effects of a chronic exposure seem to be even more distinct and tend to be not reversible.
This website uses cookies to provide you the best browsing experience. By continuing to use this website you accept our use of cookies.
