Evaluation of in vivo exposure to ELF magnetic fields on plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats

2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1846

A single continuous 24 h exposure to a 50 Hz, 7 mT sinusoidal ELF magnetic field significantly increased plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-2 and elevated several blood parameters (white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit). Repeated exposure (1 h/day fo…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Evaluation of in vivo exposure to ELF magnetic fields on plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats Wyszkowska J, Jędrzejewski T, Piotrowski J, Wojciechowska A, Stankiewicz M, Kozak W. Evaluation of the influence of in vivo exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the plasma levels of pro- inflammatory cytokines in rats. Int J Radiat Biol. 2018 Oct;94(10):909-917. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1503428. Abstract PURPOSE: Epidemiological data suggest that there is a link between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs), immune response, and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. The exact nature of this phenomenon remains speculative and requires detailed laboratory investigation. In the present study, we evaluate changes in plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines as well as alternations of the hematological parameters in rats exposed to an ELF-MF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were repeatedly exposed for either 1 h/day for 7 days, or continuously for 24 h, to a sinusoidal ELF-MF (50 Hz, 7 mT). Control groups were sham exposed for either 1 h/day for 7 days, or continuously for 24 h, respectively. The levels of cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in plasma obtained from blood samples were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in blood parameters were determined using an automatic hematology analyzer in whole blood samples immediately after collection. RESULTS: We found that a single continuous (lasting 24 h) exposure provoked a significant increase of the plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-2 levels, and caused an elevation in blood parameters, such as white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. In contrast, however, repetitive exposure of rats to an ELF-MF for 1 h/day for 7 days did not lead to any changes in plasma levels of cytokines and hematological counts. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data we conclude that exposure duration (dose-response) plays a significant role in the immune response, specifically at the cellular level. While single 24 h-lasting exposure provoked changes that indicate an immune alarm stimulation, under the conditions which are typical for therapeutic use of ELF- MFs (repeated short daily exposure) the immune potentially harmful response has not been observed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 directionmixed

PopulationMale Wistar rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · Either 1 h/day for 7 days, or continuous 24 h exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Plasma cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10)
Hematological parameters (white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Only male rats studied
Short-term endpoints measured immediately after exposure; longer-term effects not described
Single field condition reported (50 Hz, 7 mT); generalizability to other intensities/frequencies not addressed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Either 1 h/day for 7 days, or continuous 24 h exposure"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plasma cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10)",
    "Hematological parameters (white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A single continuous 24 h exposure to a 50 Hz, 7 mT sinusoidal ELF magnetic field significantly increased plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-2 and elevated several blood parameters (white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit). Repeated exposure (1 h/day for 7 days) did not change plasma cytokines or hematological counts compared with sham exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Only male rats studied",
    "Short-term endpoints measured immediately after exposure; longer-term effects not described",
    "Single field condition reported (50 Hz, 7 mT); generalizability to other intensities/frequencies not addressed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency magnetic fields",
    "ELF-MF",
    "50 Hz",
    "7 mT",
    "rats",
    "Wistar",
    "cytokines",
    "IL-1β",
    "IL-2",
    "IL-6",
    "IL-10",
    "hematology",
    "immune response",
    "ELISA"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF magnetic field exposure; could be relevant to ELF exposure contexts, though no specific occupational setting is described."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1503428
PubMed: Not supplied

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