Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Magnetic Fields on Trace Element Levels in Guinea Pigs

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2271

Guinea pigs were whole-body exposed to a 50 Hz, 1.5 mT magnetic field for 4 h/day either continuously or intermittently for 4 or 7 days. Compared with controls, statistically significant changes were reported for Cu levels in serum, femur, and kidney in expos…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Magnetic Fields on Trace Element Levels in Guinea Pigs Erdem O, Akay C, Cevher SC, Canseven AG, Aydın A, Seyhan N. Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Magnetic Fields on Trace Element Levels in Guinea Pigs.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2017 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s12011-017-1053- 8. Abstract Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can affect living cells due to biochemical changes, followed by changes in levels of trace elements in serum and different organs. This study focuses on the effect of whole body exposure to EMF, presented everywhere in our environment, and on the levels of trace elements in serum, femur, brain, kidney, and liver tissues. The analyses performed on 29 guinea pigs were divided into five groups. Guinea pigs were exposed to a magnetic field of 50 Hz of 1.5 mT. Groups A and B were exposed to the magnetic field for a period of 4 h/day continuously (4 h/day) for 4 and 7 days, respectively. Groups C and D were exposed to the magnetic field for a period of 4 h/day intermittently for 4 and 7 days, respectively. Group E animals were enrolled as control. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in serum, femur, brain, kidney, and liver tissues in all guinea pigs. When compared to the control groups, the changes in the levels of Cu in serum samples, femur, and kidney tissues of the treated groups were statistically significant. The same was also true for the levels of Mg in the brain, kidney, and lung tissues. Our results suggest that in vivo continuous and intermittent exposure to EMF may cause disturbances in homeostasis of bioelements. These effects could be important risk factors for toxic effects of EMF, especially in relation to deterioration of bioelements.

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

PopulationGuinea pigs

Sample size29

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 4 h/day for 4 or 7 days (continuous or intermittent)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Serum copper (Cu) level
Serum zinc (Zn) level
Serum calcium (Ca) level
Serum magnesium (Mg) level
Femur Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels
Brain Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels
Kidney Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels
Liver Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels

Limitations

Journal name not provided in metadata (though cited in abstract)
Specific direction/magnitude of trace element changes not reported in the abstract
Lung tissue is mentioned in results but not listed among the initially described sampled tissues
No details provided on randomization/blinding or exposure setup beyond frequency/intensity and schedule

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h/day for 4 or 7 days (continuous or intermittent)"
  },
  "population": "Guinea pigs",
  "sample_size": 29,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum copper (Cu) level",
    "Serum zinc (Zn) level",
    "Serum calcium (Ca) level",
    "Serum magnesium (Mg) level",
    "Femur Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels",
    "Brain Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels",
    "Kidney Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels",
    "Liver Cu/Zn/Ca/Mg levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Guinea pigs were whole-body exposed to a 50 Hz, 1.5 mT magnetic field for 4 h/day either continuously or intermittently for 4 or 7 days. Compared with controls, statistically significant changes were reported for Cu levels in serum, femur, and kidney in exposed groups, and for Mg levels in brain, kidney, and lung tissues.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Journal name not provided in metadata (though cited in abstract)",
    "Specific direction/magnitude of trace element changes not reported in the abstract",
    "Lung tissue is mentioned in results but not listed among the initially described sampled tissues",
    "No details provided on randomization/blinding or exposure setup beyond frequency/intensity and schedule"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF magnetic field",
    "50 Hz",
    "1.5 mT",
    "guinea pig",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "intermittent exposure",
    "continuous exposure",
    "trace elements",
    "copper",
    "magnesium",
    "zinc",
    "calcium",
    "atomic absorption spectroscopy",
    "serum",
    "brain",
    "kidney",
    "liver",
    "femur"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though the source is not specified."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s12011-017-1053
PubMed: Not supplied

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