Can static electric fields increase the activity of nitric oxide synthase and induce oxidative stress and damage of spleen?

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2021 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 1076

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Can static electric fields increase the activity of nitric oxide synthase and induce oxidative stress and damage of spleen? Li Dong, Junli Xiang, Jingyi Guo, Guangdi Chen, Guoqing Di. Can static electric fields increase the activity of nitric oxide synthase and induce oxidative stress and damage of spleen? Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Aug 16. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15853-8. Abstract With the rapid development of ultra-high-voltage (UHV) direct-current (DC) transmissions, the impact of static electric fields (SEF) in the vicinity of overhead UHV DC transmission lines on health has aroused much public concern. This study explored the effects of 56.3kV/m SEF on the spleen of mice. Results showed that SEF exposure of 21days significantly increased malonic dialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase activity, calcineurin activity, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the spleen and caused the separation of nucleus and nuclear membrane, the disappearance of mitochondrial membrane, and the deficiency of mitochondrial cristae in splenic lymphocytes. By analysis and discussion, it was deduced that SEF could induce oxidative stress of the spleen by increasing the activity of NOS. Oxidative stress could further cause ultrastructural changes of splenic lymphocytes. Moreover, oxidative stress could cause the increase of the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB, which contributed to the occurrence of spleen inflammation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationMice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 21 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In mice, exposure to a 56.3 kV/m static electric field for 21 days significantly increased MDA content, SOD activity, calcineurin activity, NOS activity, and TNF-α and NF-κB mRNA expression in spleen, and was associated with ultrastructural damage in splenic lymphocytes. The authors deduced that SEF induced spleen oxidative stress via increased NOS activity, with downstream inflammatory signaling.

Outcomes measured

Malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
Calcineurin activity
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity
TNF-α mRNA expression
NF-κB mRNA expression
Ultrastructural changes in splenic lymphocytes (nucleus/nuclear membrane separation; mitochondrial membrane disappearance; cristae deficiency)
Spleen oxidative stress
Spleen inflammation (inferred from markers)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Animal model; human health relevance not established in abstract
Mechanistic conclusions described as deduced rather than directly demonstrated in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "power transmission line (UHV DC)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "21 days"
  },
  "population": "Mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content",
    "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity",
    "Calcineurin activity",
    "Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity",
    "TNF-α mRNA expression",
    "NF-κB mRNA expression",
    "Ultrastructural changes in splenic lymphocytes (nucleus/nuclear membrane separation; mitochondrial membrane disappearance; cristae deficiency)",
    "Spleen oxidative stress",
    "Spleen inflammation (inferred from markers)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In mice, exposure to a 56.3 kV/m static electric field for 21 days significantly increased MDA content, SOD activity, calcineurin activity, NOS activity, and TNF-α and NF-κB mRNA expression in spleen, and was associated with ultrastructural damage in splenic lymphocytes. The authors deduced that SEF induced spleen oxidative stress via increased NOS activity, with downstream inflammatory signaling.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Animal model; human health relevance not established in abstract",
    "Mechanistic conclusions described as deduced rather than directly demonstrated in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static electric field",
    "SEF",
    "ultra-high-voltage",
    "direct current transmission",
    "UHV DC",
    "mice",
    "spleen",
    "oxidative stress",
    "nitric oxide synthase",
    "NOS",
    "TNF-α",
    "NF-κB",
    "ultrastructure",
    "splenic lymphocytes"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Motivated by exposure near overhead UHV DC transmission lines; relevant to environmental/occupational proximity to power infrastructure."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15853-8
PubMed: 34398376

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library