Effects of whole body exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on serum and liver lipid levels, in the rat.

Lipids in health and disease · 2007 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5041

Study snapshot

PublicationLipids in health and disease · 2007

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: [corrected] The effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the blood serum and liver lipid concentrations of male Wistar rats were assessed. METHODS: Animals were exposed to a single stimulation (2 h) of ELF-EMF (60 Hz, 2.4 mT) or sham-stimulated and thereafter sacrificed at different times (24, 48 or 96 h after beginning the exposure). RESULTS: Blood lipids showed, at 48 h stimulated animals, a significant increase of cholesterol associated to high density lipoproteins (HDL-C) than those observed at any other studied time. Free fatty acid serum presented at 24 h significant increases in comparison with control group. The other serum lipids, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol did not show differences between groups, at any time evaluated. No statistical differences were shown on total lipids of the liver but total cholesterol was elevated at 24 h with a significant decrease at 96 h (p = 0.026). The ELF-EMF stimulation increased the liver content of lipoperoxides at 24 h. CONCLUSION: Single exposures to ELF-EMF increases the serum values of HDL-C, the liver content of lipoperoxides and decreases total cholesterol of the liver. The mechanisms for the effects of ELF-EMF on lipid metabolism are not well understand yet, but could be associated to the nitric oxide synthase EMF-stimulation.

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 directionmixed

PopulationMale Wistar rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · single 2 h exposure; outcomes assessed 24, 48, or 96 h after beginning exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After a single 2 h ELF-EMF exposure (60 Hz, 2.4 mT), serum HDL-C was significantly increased at 48 h and serum free fatty acids were significantly increased at 24 h versus controls; serum triacylglycerols and total cholesterol showed no differences at any time. Liver total lipids did not differ, while liver total cholesterol was elevated at 24 h and significantly decreased at 96 h (p=0.026), and liver lipoperoxides were increased at 24 h.

Outcomes measured

Serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)
Serum free fatty acids
Serum triacylglycerols
Serum total cholesterol
Liver total lipids
Liver total cholesterol
Liver lipoperoxides

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Only male rats studied
Single short exposure; limited exposure regimen
Multiple endpoints and timepoints; statistical approach not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "whole body exposure",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "single 2 h exposure; outcomes assessed 24, 48, or 96 h after beginning exposure"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)",
    "Serum free fatty acids",
    "Serum triacylglycerols",
    "Serum total cholesterol",
    "Liver total lipids",
    "Liver total cholesterol",
    "Liver lipoperoxides"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After a single 2 h ELF-EMF exposure (60 Hz, 2.4 mT), serum HDL-C was significantly increased at 48 h and serum free fatty acids were significantly increased at 24 h versus controls; serum triacylglycerols and total cholesterol showed no differences at any time. Liver total lipids did not differ, while liver total cholesterol was elevated at 24 h and significantly decreased at 96 h (p=0.026), and liver lipoperoxides were increased at 24 h.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only male rats studied",
    "Single short exposure; limited exposure regimen",
    "Multiple endpoints and timepoints; statistical approach not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "2.4 mT",
    "whole body exposure",
    "rat",
    "Wistar",
    "serum lipids",
    "HDL-C",
    "free fatty acids",
    "liver cholesterol",
    "lipid peroxidation",
    "lipoperoxides"
  ],
  "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: 10.1186/1476-511x-6-31
PubMed: 18021407

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