Effect of acute extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the antioxidant status and lipid levels in rat brain.

PAPER pubmed Archives of medical research 2012 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2012.04.003 PMID: 22560984 Evidence Lab

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is generally accepted that electromagnetic fields (EMF) can exert biological effects; however, the mechanisms by which EMF elicits responses are still unknown. The present study was designed to assess the immediate effects of acute EMF exposure, movement restriction, and the combination of both on the antioxidant systems and lipid content in the whole brain of rat. METHODS: Thirty two male Wistar rats were arranged in four groups: control, EMF exposed, movement restrained (MR), and EMF + MR for 2 h. Rats were then sacrificed and their brains analyzed for superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels, as well as plasma corticosterone concentrations. RESULTS: Acute exposure to EMF induces reduction in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, whereas the combination of EMF + MR also decreases both reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels. Our results show that the acute exposure to EMF does not induce elevation of stress-hormone corticosterone but impairs the antioxidant status in rat brain. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma corticosterone concentration and antioxidant data indicate that the acute exposure to EMF appears to be a mild stressor that leads to some adaptive responses due to the activation of systems controlling the brain oxidative balance.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Male Wistar rats

Sample size

Exposure

ELF · 2 h (acute)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In rats, acute EMF exposure for 2 h reduced brain catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. EMF combined with movement restraint also decreased reduced glutathione and nitric oxide; EMF exposure did not elevate plasma corticosterone.

Outcomes measured

Brain superoxide dismutase activity
Brain catalase activity
Brain reduced glutathione
Brain nitric oxide
Brain total cholesterol
Brain triacylglycerol
Plasma corticosterone

Limitations

Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in the abstract
Short-term (acute) exposure only
Animal study; whole-brain measures may not reflect region-specific effects

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h (acute)"
    },
    "population": "Male Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 32,
    "outcomes": [
        "Brain superoxide dismutase activity",
        "Brain catalase activity",
        "Brain reduced glutathione",
        "Brain nitric oxide",
        "Brain total cholesterol",
        "Brain triacylglycerol",
        "Plasma corticosterone"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats, acute EMF exposure for 2 h reduced brain catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. EMF combined with movement restraint also decreased reduced glutathione and nitric oxide; EMF exposure did not elevate plasma corticosterone.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in the abstract",
        "Short-term (acute) exposure only",
        "Animal study; whole-brain measures may not reflect region-specific effects"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF EMF",
        "acute exposure",
        "rat brain",
        "oxidative stress",
        "antioxidant enzymes",
        "superoxide dismutase",
        "catalase",
        "glutathione",
        "nitric oxide",
        "corticosterone",
        "movement restraint"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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