Influence of exposure to electromagnetic field on the cardiovascular system.

Autonomic & autacoid pharmacology · 2005 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 5204

Study snapshot

PublicationAutonomic & autacoid pharmacology · 2005

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

1 We examined whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) affect the basal level of cardiovascular parameters and influence of drugs acting on the sympathetic nervous system. 2 Male rats were exposed to sham control and EMF (60 Hz, 20 G) for 1 (MF-1) or 5 days (MF-5). We evaluated the alterations of blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), and the PR interval, QRS interval and QT interval on the electrocardiogram and dysrhythmic ratio in basal level and dysrhythmia induced by beta-adrenoceptor agonists. 3 In terms of the basal levels, there were no statistically significant differences among control, MF-1 and MF-5 in PR interval, QRS interval, mean BP, HR and PP. However, the QT interval, representing ventricular repolarization, was significantly reduced by MF-1 (P < 0.05). 4 (-)-Dobutamine (beta1-adrenoceptor-selective agonist)-induced tachycardia was significantly suppressed by ELF-EMF exposure in MF-1 for the increase in HR (DeltaHR), the decrease in QRS interval (DeltaQRS) and the decrease in QT (DeltaQT) interval. Adrenaline (nonselective beta-receptor agonist)-induced dysrhythmia was also significantly suppressed by ELF-EMF in MF-1 for the number of missing beats, the dysrhythmic ratio, and the increase in BP and PP. 5 These results indicated that 1-day exposure to ELF-EMF (60 Hz, 20 G) could suppress the increase in HR by affecting ventricular repolarization and may have a down-regulatory effect on responses of the cardiovascular system induced by sympathetic agonists.

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 rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.06 MHz · 1 day or 5 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In basal measurements, there were no statistically significant differences among sham control, 1-day exposure, and 5-day exposure groups for PR interval, QRS interval, mean BP, HR, and PP; QT interval was significantly reduced after 1-day exposure. Under sympathetic agonist challenge, 1-day ELF-EMF exposure significantly suppressed dobutamine-induced tachycardia-related changes and suppressed adrenaline-induced dysrhythmia measures (including missing beats, dysrhythmic ratio, and BP/PP increases).

Outcomes measured

Blood pressure (BP)
Pulse pressure (PP)
Heart rate (HR)
ECG PR interval
ECG QRS interval
ECG QT interval
Dysrhythmic ratio
Dobutamine-induced tachycardia responses (DeltaHR, DeltaQRS, DeltaQT)
Adrenaline-induced dysrhythmia outcomes (missing beats, dysrhythmic ratio, BP and PP increases)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the provided abstract
Only one exposure condition reported (60 Hz, 20 G)
Effects appear dependent on exposure duration (not clearly observed for 5-day exposure in the abstract)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 day or 5 days"
  },
  "population": "Male rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Blood pressure (BP)",
    "Pulse pressure (PP)",
    "Heart rate (HR)",
    "ECG PR interval",
    "ECG QRS interval",
    "ECG QT interval",
    "Dysrhythmic ratio",
    "Dobutamine-induced tachycardia responses (DeltaHR, DeltaQRS, DeltaQT)",
    "Adrenaline-induced dysrhythmia outcomes (missing beats, dysrhythmic ratio, BP and PP increases)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In basal measurements, there were no statistically significant differences among sham control, 1-day exposure, and 5-day exposure groups for PR interval, QRS interval, mean BP, HR, and PP; QT interval was significantly reduced after 1-day exposure. Under sympathetic agonist challenge, 1-day ELF-EMF exposure significantly suppressed dobutamine-induced tachycardia-related changes and suppressed adrenaline-induced dysrhythmia measures (including missing beats, dysrhythmic ratio, and BP/PP increases).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the provided abstract",
    "Only one exposure condition reported (60 Hz, 20 G)",
    "Effects appear dependent on exposure duration (not clearly observed for 5-day exposure in the abstract)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "20 G",
    "rats",
    "cardiovascular",
    "electrocardiogram",
    "QT interval",
    "ventricular repolarization",
    "dobutamine",
    "adrenaline",
    "sympathetic nervous system",
    "dysrhythmia"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines extremely low frequency EMF (60 Hz) exposure effects."
    },
    {
      "slug": "cardiovascular-effects",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "Outcomes include BP, HR, ECG intervals, and dysrhythmia measures."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1111/j.1474-8673.2004.00328.x
PubMed: 15659150

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library