Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of subchronic extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on biochemical parameters in rats med./bio.

Published in: Toxicol Ind Health 2017; 33 (4): 365-372

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field on biochemical parameters in the blood and organ weights should be investigated.

Background/further details

64 rats were divided into 4 groups (n=16 each): 1) exposure to a 20 µT magnetic field, 2) exposure to a 100 µT magnetic field, 3) exposure to a 500 µT magnetic field, 4) sham exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2 hours/day for 28 days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2 hours/day for 28 days
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2 hours/day for 28 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2 hours/day for 28 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber plastic cage
Setup each coil had 64 cm external diameter, 60 cm internal diameter, and 2 cm width; the distance between the coils was 30 cm; it was surrounded by 90 turns of copper wire (Ø 0.67 mm); the field was vertical
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 20 µT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2 hours/day for 28 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration for 2 hours/day for 28 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 500 µT - measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In group 3 (500 µT), the blood level of creatinine was significantly higher and the blood level of total cholesterol was significantly lower compared to sham-exposed animals. All other parameters did not show any significant differences between the groups.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field has no effect on the majority of biochemical parameters in the blood and organ weights. The changes in creatinine and cholesterol were relatively small and unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles