Zinc Supplementation Ameliorates Electromagnetic Field-Induced Lipid Peroxidation in the Rat Brain

Abstract

Extremely low-frequency (0-300 Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by power lines, wiring and home appliances are ubiquitous in our environment. All populations are now exposed to EMF, and exposure to EMF may pose health risks. Some of the adverse health effects of EMF exposure are lipid peroxidation and cell damage in various tissues. This study has investigated the effects of EMF exposure and zinc administration on lipid peroxidation in the rat brain. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups; they were maintained untreated for 6 months (control, n = 8), exposed to low-frequency (50 Hz) EMF for 5 minutes every other day for 6 months (n = 8), or exposed to EMF and received zinc sulfate daily (3 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally (n = 8). We measured plasma levels of zinc and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes. TBARS and GSH levels were also determined in the brain tissues. TBARS levels in the plasma and brain tissues were higher in EMF-exposed rats with or without zinc supplementation, than those in controls ( p < 0.001). In addition, TBARS levels were significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented rats than those in the EMF-exposed rats ( p < 0.001). GSH levels were significantly decreased in the brain and erythrocytes of the EMF-exposed rats ( p < 0.01), and were highest in the zinc-supplemented rats ( p < 0.001). Plasma zinc was significantly lower in the EMF-exposed rats than those in controls ( p < 0.001), while it was highest in the zinc-supplemented rats ( p < 0.001). The present study suggests that long-term exposure to low-frequency EMF increases lipid peroxidation in the brain, which may be ameliorated by zinc supplementation. electromagnetic field; lipid peroxidation; zinc; brain

Effect of graded levels of zinc supplementation on growth performance and oxidative defense mechanism in rats

“…It was shown that zinc deficiency caused or increased oxidative stress in rat testicles [27], kidney [28], liver [29], and brain [30]. Similarly ameliorative effect of zinc against oxidative stress in rats was reported by several authors, who induced the stress artificially using electromagnetic field [31], cadmium [19], alloxan [32], carbon tetra chloride [33] and burns [34].…”

Effect of Exposure to Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on the Plasma Glucose, Insulin, Triglyceride and Cholesterol of Male Rats

“…Kula (1999) has also reported significant decrease in total plasma lipids of steelworkers exposed to EMF. Bediz (2006) has reported lipid peroxidation of rat brain induced by chronic exposure to very low frequency EMF. Therefore, two possibilities are to be considered: 1-EMF exposure causes cholesterol catabolism.…”

Protein oxidation under extremely low frequency electric field in guinea pigs. Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment

“…Therefore, several investigations were performed on free radical production and antioxidant system of the tissues and blood samples under the effects of magnetic fields (Lupke et al 2004;Zmyslony et al 2004;Bediz et al 2006;Simko et al 2006) and E fields (Harakawa et al 2005;Güler et al 2006, Güler et al 2007). Free radicals target structural molecules such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.…”