The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could adversely affect the endocrine system and cellular proliferative response. Nonetheless, the use of 60-Hz EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions on human health but can also induce hyperglycaemia. Therefore, the present study was aimed to search for metabolic responses of fed or fasted male rats to a single EMF exposure. We performed a 15 min-single exposure to 60-Hz (3.8 mT, intensity) EMF, and determined serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameters. A single exposure to a 60-Hz EMF induced hyperglycaemia in both animal groups, and an attenuated second serum insulin peak. The 60-Hz EMF also decreased free fatty acids and lactate serum levels, oppositely increasing pyruvate and acetoacetate levels. Significant increases in blood glucose level and rat’s glucose metabolism were related to a more oxidized cellular redox state and variations in insulin and glucagon secretion. The 60-Hz EMF’s effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to chronic EMFs exposure (14 days). In conclusion, increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by a single 60-Hz EMF exposure were closely related to the cellular redox state and the insulin/glucagon ratio.

The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a might adversely affect the endocrine system and reproductive functions. Nonetheless, the use of EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions in human medicine, but also affecting glucose and lipids metabolism, inducing hyperglycaemia and a “diabetic” response. Therefore, we used fed or fasted male rats for a single exposure to 60-Hz EMFs, determining serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameters. A single exposure to EMFs induced hyperglycaemia in both, fed and fasted rats, accompanied by an attenuated second serum insulin peak. In addition, EMFs also decreased serum levels of free fatty acids and lactate, while they increased those of pyruvate and acetoacetate. Changes in blood glucose level were related with a more oxidized cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio. Moreover, rat’s glucose metabolism also coincided with variations in insulin and glucagon secretion, probably depending on cell redox state. The EMFs effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to a chronic exposure (14 days). In conclusion, increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by EMFs exposure were closely related with the cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio.

Background: The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a might adversely affect the endocrine system and reproductive functions, as well as the development of animals. Nonetheless, the use of EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions in pain amelioration, post-stroke recovery, or in bone fractures, where EMFs can affect glucose and lipids metabolism, inducing hyperglycemia and a “diabetic” response. Methods: Therefore, we used fed or fasted male rats for a single exposure to 60-Hz EMFs, determining serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameter, as well as to perform a metabolic tracing of glucose in the whole animal. Results: A single exposure to EMFs induced hyperglycemia in both, fed and fasted rats, accompanied by an attenuation of a second serum insulin peak. In addition, EMFs also decreased serum levels of free fatty acids and lactate, while they increased those of pyruvate and acetoacetate. Changes in blood glucose level were related with a more oxidized cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio. Moreover, rat’s glucose metabolism also coincided with variations in insulin and glucagon secretion, probably depending on cell redox state; these EMFs effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to a chronic exposure (14 days). Conclusions: Increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by EMFs exposure were closely related with the cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio, whereas changes in the metabolic energy availability seemed to play a minor role in these EMFs-induced metabolic modifications.