Extremely low frequency magnetic fields induce oxidative stress in rat brain

Abstract

Abstract. The present investigation was conducted to understand the influence of long-term exposure of rats to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF), focusing on oxidative stress (OS) on different regions of rat's brain. Male Wistar rats (21-day-old) were exposed to ELF-MF (50 Hz; 50 and 100 µT) for 90 days continuously; hippocampal, cerebellar and cortical regions from rats were analyzed for (i) reactive oxygen species (ROS), (ii) metabolites indicative of OS and (iii) antioxidant enzymes. In comparison to control group rats, the rats that were continuously exposed to ELF-MF caused OS and altered glutathione (GSH/GSSG) levels in dose-dependent manner in all the regions of the brain. Accumulation of ROS, lipid peroxidation end products and activity of superoxide dismutase in different regions was in the descending order of cerebellum > hippocampus > cortex. Decrement in GSH/GSSG levels and increment in glutathione peroxidase activity were in the descending order of hippocampus > cerebellum > cortex. The continuous exposure to ELF-MF caused OS in all the examined regions of brain more significantly at 100 µT than at 50 µT. Varied influences observed in different regions of the brain, as documented in this study, may contribute to altered metabolic patterns in its related regions of the central nervous system, leading to aberrant neuronal functions.

Magnetic Fields and Reactive Oxygen Species

“…For example, Calcabrini and his colleagues observed that 0.05/0.1 mT 50 Hz exposure for 1/2 h could increase ROS level in human keratinocyte cell line (NCTC 2544), but return to normal level at 4 h, while a lower intensity (0.025 mT) or a higher intensity (0.15/0.2 mT) did not cause ROS changes [ 59 ]. In addition, Manikonda showed that EMF-induced ROS level changes in rat brain are tissue- and intensity-specific [ 85 ]. Moreover, ELF-EMFs frequency is also important [ 66 , 67 ].…”

The effect of continuous ELF-MFs on the level of 5-HIAA in the raphe nucleus of the rat

“…Recent research on the effects of electromagnetic fields on animal (rat) cells and on human cells is of great interest [ 5 , 22 ]. However, there are only a few inconclusive published papers and limited data available on the effects of ELF-MFs on the level of serotonin and its metabolite concentrations in animals.…”

“…It has long been known that depression is an illness that diminishes the quality of people's life around the world [ 1 , 2 ]. In the past two decades, considerable evidence has come to light indicating that changes in serotonergic function in the central nervous system of patients causes acute depression [ 3 – 5 ]. In other evidence, extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) have been shown to influence the nervous and neurotransmitter systems in the brain [ 1 ].…”

Preliminary evidence suggesting that nonmetallic and metallic nanoparticle devices protect against the effects of environmental electromagnetic radiation by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory status

“…All studies have agreed that the deleterious effects of EMF exposure on living organisms depend on the frequency and density of the field and the time of exposure. Some authors have concluded that genotoxicity after exposure to EMF is secondary to other mechanisms, such as the production of free radicals [9][10][11].…”