The effects of exposure to electromagnetic field on rat myocardium

Abstract

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) causes increased adverse effects on biological systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMF on heart tissue by biochemical and histomorphological evaluations in EMF-exposed adult rats. In this study, 28 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used. The rats were divided into two groups: sham group (n = 14) and EMF group (n = 14). Rats in sham group were exposed to same conditions as the EMF group except the exposure to EMF. Rats in EMF group were exposed to a 50-Hz EMF of 3 mT for 4 h/day and 7 days/week for 2 months. After 2 months of exposure, rats were killed; the hearts were excised and evaluated. Determination of oxidative stress parameters was performed spectrophotometrically. To detect apoptotic cells, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were performed. In EMF-exposed group, levels of lipid peroxidation significantly increased and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased compared with sham group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 immunoreactivity increased in EMF-exposed rats compared with sham. Under electron microscopy, there were mitochondrial degeneration, reduction in myofibrils, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear vacuolization in EMF-exposed rats. In conclusion, the results show that the exposure to EMF causes oxidative stress, apoptosis and morphologic damage in myocardium of adult rats. The results of our study indicate that EMF-related changes in rat myocardium could be the result of increased oxidative stress. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether the exposure to EMF can induce adverse effects on myocardium.

ELF-EMF'in Beyin, Karaciğer ve Kalp Dokularında Oksidatif Parametreler Üzerine Etkilerinin Değerlendirilmesi

“…The level of GSH can be raised on account of an adaptive response against low intensities oxidative stress owing to an increment in its synthesis; however, strong oxidative stress may depress GSH levels due to the oxidation of GSH to GSSG and the deficiency of the adaptive response skills (Martínez-Sámano et al, 2010). In the several studies, it has been reported that exposures of different intensity and frequency MF can alter the antioxidant conditions of various animals and tissues (Lee at al., 2002;Seyhan and Canseven, 2006;Martínez-Sámano et al, 2010;Kiray et al, 2013). The present study demonstrated that intermittent exposure to 50 Hz, 1.5 mT ELF-MF 4h/day during 7 days increased GSH levels in brain and heart tissues.…”

SEM, TEM, and IHC Analysis of the Sinus Node and Its Implications for the Cardiac Conduction System

“…Otherwise, it may be worth considering that a magnetic pulse is also constantly generated with each electrical pulse; the heartbeat generates a magnetic field, which is the strongest magnetic field of the human body (100 pT) [ 50 , 51 ]. Also external electromagnetic fields have been shown to markedly affect heart function in experimental animals [ 52 ].…”

Exposure to non-ionizing radiation provokes changes in rat thyroid morphology and expression of HSP-90

“…36 Recent research has described how EMFs can constitute external sources for the formation of free radicals in blood cells, 37 the brain, 38 spermatozoids, 39 and myocardial tissue. 40 The thyroid gland is by nature an oxidative organ, and when additional oxidative abuse is caused by exogenous pro-oxidants (ionizing radiation would be the most significant), damage to the macromolecules in the gland increases, possibly leading to thyroid pathology or cancer. 41 In spite of this, a direct relation between thyroid cancer and exposure to EMFs has not yet been established.…”