[Effect of low-intensity electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency on the ultrastructure and proliferative activity of rat's thymus cells].

Radiatsionnaia biologiia, radioecologiia · 2001 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5315

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiatsionnaia biologiia, radioecologiia · 2001

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of two types of low-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMF) of industrial frequency (50 Hz) on the fine structure and proliferative activity of thymic cells in white rats were studied. It was found that a weak EMF with a prevailing electrical component (380-480 V/m, 120-140 nT1) did not affect the DNA synthesis intensity. An EMF with a stronger magnetic induction (10-15 V/m, 800-1500 nT1) diminished the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes. Electron microscopic investigation of the thymus after both types of exposure revealed an accumulation of lymphocytes with pyknotic nuclei and electron-dense cytoplasm, as well as hypoplasia of the vascular endothelium. At the same time, EMF with a prevailing magnetic component produced a more marked negative effect on the ultrastructure of thymic cells, which indicated a lowered secretory activity of epitheliocytes.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationWhite rats (thymus cells; cultured stimulated lymphocytes)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Two low-intensity 50 Hz EMF conditions were studied. A weak EMF with prevailing electrical component (380–480 V/m, 120–140 nT) did not affect DNA synthesis intensity, while an EMF with stronger magnetic induction (10–15 V/m, 800–1500 nT) diminished glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes. Electron microscopy after both exposures showed accumulation of lymphocytes with pyknotic nuclei and electron-dense cytoplasm and hypoplasia of vascular endothelium; effects were more marked with the prevailing magnetic component, suggesting lowered secretory activity of epitheliocytes.

Outcomes measured

DNA synthesis intensity
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity
Proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes
Thymus cell ultrastructure (electron microscopy)
Vascular endothelium hypoplasia
Secretory activity of epitheliocytes

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration and schedule not reported in abstract
Details of experimental design and controls not reported in abstract
Outcomes include both in vivo thymus ultrastructure and in vitro cultured lymphocyte measures, with limited methodological detail in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "industrial frequency",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "White rats (thymus cells; cultured stimulated lymphocytes)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA synthesis intensity",
    "Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity",
    "Proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes",
    "Thymus cell ultrastructure (electron microscopy)",
    "Vascular endothelium hypoplasia",
    "Secretory activity of epitheliocytes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Two low-intensity 50 Hz EMF conditions were studied. A weak EMF with prevailing electrical component (380–480 V/m, 120–140 nT) did not affect DNA synthesis intensity, while an EMF with stronger magnetic induction (10–15 V/m, 800–1500 nT) diminished glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes. Electron microscopy after both exposures showed accumulation of lymphocytes with pyknotic nuclei and electron-dense cytoplasm and hypoplasia of vascular endothelium; effects were more marked with the prevailing magnetic component, suggesting lowered secretory activity of epitheliocytes.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration and schedule not reported in abstract",
    "Details of experimental design and controls not reported in abstract",
    "Outcomes include both in vivo thymus ultrastructure and in vitro cultured lymphocyte measures, with limited methodological detail in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "industrial frequency",
    "rats",
    "thymus",
    "lymphocytes",
    "ultrastructure",
    "electron microscopy",
    "DNA synthesis",
    "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase",
    "proliferation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Exposure described as industrial-frequency (50 Hz) low-intensity EMF, relevant to occupational/industrial settings."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 11605242

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