The effect of alpha-lipoic acid on liver damage induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in a rat model

Toxicol Ind Health · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2541

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicol Ind Health · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Toxicology Tags: alpha-lipoic acid, extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, liver damage, rat model, histopathology, apoptosis, inflammation DOI: 10.1177/07482337251383412 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study investigated the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on liver damage caused by extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) in rats. - Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned to four groups: - Group 1: Control group - Group 2: ELF-MF exposure group - Group 3: ELF-MF exposure + ALA administration - Group 4: Sham group - Groups 2 and 3 were exposed to ELF-MF at 2 mT intensity via two Helmholtz coils for 4 hours/day for 30 days. - Group 3 received ALA (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) 1 hour prior to each exposure for 30 days. - Group 4 was placed in the coils, but the ELF-MF generator was turned off. Findings - Histopathological analysis of the liver showed statistically significant increases in: - Hyperemia - Inflammation - Fibrosis - Vacuolization - Multiple nuclei - Biliary proliferation in Group 2 compared to all other groups. - Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels in Group 2 than in all other groups. - ELF-MF-induced alterations, including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, and multiple nuclei, were significantly reduced in Group 3 compared with Group 2. - No significant difference between Groups 2 and 3 in terms of bile duct proliferation or fibrosis. - No pathological changes in Groups 1 and 4. Conclusion ALA administration effectively reduced several histopathological changes caused by ELF-MF exposure, particularly hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, and multiple nuclei, but did not improve fibrosis or biliary proliferation. It also reduced TUNEL and caspase-3 expression, indicating that ALA has anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against ELF-MF-induced liver damage. The findings demonstrate a clear link between electromagnetic field exposure and adverse liver effects in this animal model.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationMale rats

Sample size32

ExposureELF · 4 hours/day for 30 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to ELF magnetic fields (2 mT, 4 h/day for 30 days) showed statistically significant increases in multiple liver histopathology findings and higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels versus other groups. Alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) given prior to exposure reduced several ELF-MF-associated changes (including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, multiple nuclei) and reduced TUNEL and caspase-3, but did not significantly improve fibrosis or bile duct proliferation.

Outcomes measured

Liver histopathology (hyperemia, inflammation, fibrosis, vacuolization, multiple nuclei, biliary proliferation)
Apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase-3)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "experimental (Helmholtz coils)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 hours/day for 30 days"
  },
  "population": "Male rats",
  "sample_size": 32,
  "outcomes": [
    "Liver histopathology (hyperemia, inflammation, fibrosis, vacuolization, multiple nuclei, biliary proliferation)",
    "Apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase-3)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to ELF magnetic fields (2 mT, 4 h/day for 30 days) showed statistically significant increases in multiple liver histopathology findings and higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels versus other groups. Alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) given prior to exposure reduced several ELF-MF-associated changes (including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, multiple nuclei) and reduced TUNEL and caspase-3, but did not significantly improve fibrosis or bile duct proliferation.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "alpha-lipoic acid",
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-MF",
    "magnetic fields",
    "liver damage",
    "rat model",
    "histopathology",
    "apoptosis",
    "TUNEL",
    "caspase-3",
    "inflammation",
    "fibrosis",
    "Helmholtz coils"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Rat model assessing ELF-MF exposure effects and mitigation by alpha-lipoic acid."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1177/07482337251383412
PubMed: 41022467

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