Effects of acute electromagnetic field exposure and movement restraint on antioxidant system in liver, heart, kidney and plasma of Wistar rats: a preliminary report.

International journal of radiation biology · 2010 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4365

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2010

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early effects of acute (2 h) exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), as well as movement restraint (MR) and the combination of both on the antioxidant systems in the plasma, liver, kidney, and heart of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided in two groups, restrained and unrestrained. The restrained animals were confined into an acrylic tube for 120 min. Half of the animals of each group were exposed to ELF-EMF (60 Hz, 2.4 mT) during the period of restriction. Immediately after treatment, reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in tissues. RESULTS: GSH concentration was significantly lower in the heart of all experimental animals when compared to the control group; furthermore, the decrease was higher in the liver of restrained animals. SOD activity was lower in the plasma of restrained and EMF exposed animals compared to unrestrained rats. There were no significant differences in CAT activity and TBARS levels among all the experimental groups vs. the control group. CONCLUSION: Two hours of 60 Hz EMF exposure might immediately alter the metabolism of free radicals, decreasing SOD activity in plasma and GSH content in heart and kidney, but does not induce immediate lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress induced by movement restraint was stronger than that produced by EMF.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationAdult male Wistar rats

Sample size24

ExposureELF · 6e-05 MHz · 2 h (120 min) acute exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 2 h exposure to 60 Hz, 2.4 mT ELF-EMF and/or movement restraint, GSH was significantly lower in the heart of all experimental animals versus controls, with a larger decrease in liver of restrained animals. SOD activity was lower in plasma of restrained and EMF-exposed animals compared with unrestrained rats, while CAT activity and TBARS levels did not differ significantly versus controls. The authors conclude acute EMF exposure might immediately alter free-radical metabolism (decreasing plasma SOD and GSH in heart and kidney) without inducing immediate lipid peroxidation, and that movement restraint produced stronger oxidative stress than EMF.

Outcomes measured

Reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma, liver, kidney, heart
Catalase (CAT) activity in tissues
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in plasma/tissues
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) / lipid peroxidation markers

Limitations

Preliminary report
Acute exposure only (2 h); immediate post-treatment measurements only
Animal study (Wistar rats); generalizability to humans not addressed
No SAR reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 6e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h (120 min) acute exposure"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma, liver, kidney, heart",
    "Catalase (CAT) activity in tissues",
    "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in plasma/tissues",
    "Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) / lipid peroxidation markers"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 2 h exposure to 60 Hz, 2.4 mT ELF-EMF and/or movement restraint, GSH was significantly lower in the heart of all experimental animals versus controls, with a larger decrease in liver of restrained animals. SOD activity was lower in plasma of restrained and EMF-exposed animals compared with unrestrained rats, while CAT activity and TBARS levels did not differ significantly versus controls. The authors conclude acute EMF exposure might immediately alter free-radical metabolism (decreasing plasma SOD and GSH in heart and kidney) without inducing immediate lipid peroxidation, and that movement restraint produced stronger oxidative stress than EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Preliminary report",
    "Acute exposure only (2 h); immediate post-treatment measurements only",
    "Animal study (Wistar rats); generalizability to humans not addressed",
    "No SAR reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "2.4 mT",
    "movement restraint",
    "oxidative stress",
    "antioxidant system",
    "glutathione",
    "superoxide dismutase",
    "catalase",
    "TBARS",
    "Wistar rats"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental study in Wistar rats assessing biochemical oxidative stress markers after ELF-EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/09553002.2010.501841
PubMed: 20701462

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