The effects of exposure to electromagnetic field on rat myocardium.

Toxicology and industrial health · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4548

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology and industrial health · 2013

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) causes increased adverse effects on biological systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMF on heart tissue by biochemical and histomorphological evaluations in EMF-exposed adult rats. In this study, 28 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used. The rats were divided into two groups: sham group (n = 14) and EMF group (n = 14). Rats in sham group were exposed to same conditions as the EMF group except the exposure to EMF. Rats in EMF group were exposed to a 50-Hz EMF of 3 mT for 4 h/day and 7 days/week for 2 months. After 2 months of exposure, rats were killed; the hearts were excised and evaluated. Determination of oxidative stress parameters was performed spectrophotometrically. To detect apoptotic cells, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were performed. In EMF-exposed group, levels of lipid peroxidation significantly increased and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased compared with sham group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 immunoreactivity increased in EMF-exposed rats compared with sham. Under electron microscopy, there were mitochondrial degeneration, reduction in myofibrils, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear vacuolization in EMF-exposed rats. In conclusion, the results show that the exposure to EMF causes oxidative stress, apoptosis and morphologic damage in myocardium of adult rats. The results of our study indicate that EMF-related changes in rat myocardium could be the result of increased oxidative stress. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether the exposure to EMF can induce adverse effects on myocardium.

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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 directionharm

PopulationAdult male Wistar rats (200–250 g)

Sample size28

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 4 h/day, 7 days/week for 2 months

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to a 50-Hz, 3 mT EMF for 2 months showed significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities versus sham. Apoptosis markers (TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 immunoreactivity) increased, and electron microscopy showed mitochondrial degeneration, reduced myofibrils, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum, and perinuclear vacuolization in myocardium.

Outcomes measured

Oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase)
Apoptosis markers (TUNEL-positive cells, caspase-3 immunoreactivity)
Myocardial ultrastructure/histomorphology (electron microscopy findings)

Limitations

Animal study (adult male rats); generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
Exposure source/context not specified beyond field parameters
Mechanistic interpretation (oxidative stress as cause) is suggested but causality not directly established in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h/day, 7 days/week for 2 months"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Wistar rats (200–250 g)",
  "sample_size": 28,
  "outcomes": [
    "Oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase)",
    "Apoptosis markers (TUNEL-positive cells, caspase-3 immunoreactivity)",
    "Myocardial ultrastructure/histomorphology (electron microscopy findings)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to a 50-Hz, 3 mT EMF for 2 months showed significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities versus sham. Apoptosis markers (TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 immunoreactivity) increased, and electron microscopy showed mitochondrial degeneration, reduced myofibrils, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum, and perinuclear vacuolization in myocardium.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Animal study (adult male rats); generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Exposure source/context not specified beyond field parameters",
    "Mechanistic interpretation (oxidative stress as cause) is suggested but causality not directly established in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "3 mT",
    "rat",
    "myocardium",
    "oxidative stress",
    "lipid peroxidation",
    "superoxide dismutase",
    "glutathione peroxidase",
    "apoptosis",
    "TUNEL",
    "caspase-3",
    "electron microscopy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1177/0748233711434957
PubMed: 22323476

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