The effects of 30 mT electromagnetic fields on hippocampus cells of rats.

Surgical neurology international · 2016 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4838

Compared with controls, the exposed rats showed substantial ultrastructural changes in hippocampal cells on TEM, including morphologically abnormal/uncertain intracellular organelles such as mitochondria. The number of apoptotic cells in the exposed group sho…

Study snapshot

PublicationSurgical neurology international · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of electromagnetic waves in the treatment of some acute and chronic diseases, application of these waves in everyday life has created several problems for humans, especially the nerve system. In this study, the effects of 30mT electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the hippocampus is investigated. METHODS: Twenty-four 5-month Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were divided into two groups. The experimental group rats were under the influence of an EMF at an intensity of 3 mT for approximately 4 hours a day (from 8 AM to 12 PM) during 10 weeks. After the hippocampus was removed, thin slides were prepared for transmission electron microscope (TEM) to study the ultrastructural tissue. Cell death detection POD kits were used to determine the apoptosis rate. RESULTS: The results of the TEM showed that, in the hippocampus of the experimental group, in comparison to the control group, there was a substantial shift; even intracellular organelles such as the mitochondria were morphologically abnormal and uncertain. The number of apoptotic cells in the exposed group compared to the control group showed significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to numerous studies that have reported the effects of EMFs on nerves system, it was also confirmed in this lecture. Hence, the hippocampus which is important in regulating emotions, behavior, motivation, and memory functions, may be impaired by the negative impacts of EMFs.

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

PopulationWistar rats (5-month-old; 150–200 g)

Sample size24

Exposure~4 hours/day for 10 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Hippocampal ultrastructural changes on transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Apoptosis rate (cell death detection POD kit)

Limitations

Exposure intensity is inconsistent between the background/title (30 mT) and methods (3 mT).
Frequency and waveform characteristics of the electromagnetic field are not reported.
Small sample size (n=24) and limited methodological details in the abstract (e.g., randomization/blinding not described).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "~4 hours/day for 10 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Wistar rats (5-month-old; 150–200 g)",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Hippocampal ultrastructural changes on transmission electron microscopy (TEM)",
    "Apoptosis rate (cell death detection POD kit)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, the exposed rats showed substantial ultrastructural changes in hippocampal cells on TEM, including morphologically abnormal/uncertain intracellular organelles such as mitochondria. The number of apoptotic cells in the exposed group showed significant changes versus controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure intensity is inconsistent between the background/title (30 mT) and methods (3 mT).",
    "Frequency and waveform characteristics of the electromagnetic field are not reported.",
    "Small sample size (n=24) and limited methodological details in the abstract (e.g., randomization/blinding not described)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF",
    "3 mT",
    "30 mT",
    "hippocampus",
    "rat",
    "Wistar",
    "transmission electron microscopy",
    "TEM",
    "apoptosis",
    "mitochondria",
    "nervous system"
  ],
  "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: 10.4103/2152-7806.185006
PubMed: 27453795

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