Effects of static magnetic field exposure on plasma element levels in rat.

The interaction of static magnetic fields (SMFs) with living organisms is a rapidly growing field of investigation. The magnetic fields (MFs) effect observed with radical pair recombination is one of the well-known mechanisms by which MFs interact with biological systems. SMF influenced cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms by affecting antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). However, there were insufficient reports about the effects of SMF on macro and trace elements in serum, and the results were contradictory until now. In the current study, 12 rats were divided into two groups, namely as control and exposure group (128 mT and 1 h/day during five consecutive days). The macro and trace element concentrations in serum were examined. No significant difference was observed in the sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and selenium (Se) levels in rat compared to control. By contrast, exposure to SMF showed an increase in the zinc (Zn) level and a decrease in iron (Fe) concentration. Under our experimental conditions, SMF exposure cannot affect the plasma levels of macroelements, while it can disrupt Zn and Fe concentrations in rat.

Static magnetic field induced hypovitaminosis D in rat.

In the following study, we mainly investigate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) (128 mT, 1 hr/day during 5 consecutive days) on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium homeostasis. Wistar male rats, weighing 50-70 g, were randomly divided into four experimental groups: control, SMF-exposed rat, co-exposed rats (the last day and after exposure rats received a single dose of vitamin D per os) and supplemented with vitamin D group (without exposure to SMF). Exposure to SMF induced a decrease of plasmatic 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level (P < 0.001). While, calcium and phosphorus levels were not affected (P > 0.05). The same treatment failed also to alter body, relative liver and kidney weights. Interestingly, oral supplementation with vitamin D corrected hypovitaminosis D induced by SMF. Likewise, the same treatment failed to alter calcium homeostasis. More studies are needed to evaluate how SMF induces hypovitaminosis D.

Effects of acute exposure to static magnetic field on ionic composition of rat spinal cord.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of static magnetic fields (SMF) on ionic composition of rat spinal cord. Male Wistar rats were daily exposed to SMF of 128 mT, for 1 h/day during five consecutive days. Spinal cord samples were extracted, weighed and mixed in bidstilled water in order to be analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Plasma ionic composition was also made. Acute exposure to SMF increased significantly the calcium (+68%, p < 0.05) and iron (+35%, p < 0.05) contents of rat spinal cord, whereas magnesium and copper levels remained unchanged. In plasma, SMF treatment failed to alter calcium concentration but decreased iron level (-17%, p < 0.05). These data indicate that SMF acute exposure can induce alterations of ionic composition in the rat spinal cord and the plasma electrolytes balance.

Effects of sub-acute exposure to magnetic field on blood hematological and biochemical parameters in female rats.

UNLABELLED: The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of magnetic field (MF) on hematopoiesis and fuel metabolites in female rats. At thermoneutrality (25°C), the exposition of rats 1 hour/day for 10 consecutive days to a MF of 128 mT (m Tesla) induced an increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin compared to controls. Exposure to MF also induced an increase in blood glucose levels but had no effect on triglyceride concentrations. Moreover, serum alanine aminotransferase activity remained unchanged in treated rats, while aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities increased by about 22% and 33%, respectively, following MF exposure. It was concluded that sub-acute exposure to MF induced elevations in hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma fuel metabolites and tissue enzymes release within the blood. KEY WORDS: Magnetic field, hematology, glucose, triglycerides, plasma enzymes, rat.

Zinc prevents hematological and biochemical alterations induced by static magnetic field in rats.

The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of subchronic exposure of rats to static magnetic field (SMF) and/or zinc treatment on the selected hematological and biochemical parameters. Metallothioneins (MT) and zinc content in kidney and liver were studied. The exposure of rats to SMF for 1h/day during 30 consecutive days induced an increase in hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelet number. By contrast, hematocrit remained unchanged. The same treatment also increased the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. However, the creatinine and urea concentrations were similar to those of controls. On the other hand, renal and hepatic zinc levels were not altered in SMF treated-rats. SMF exposure induced MT synthesis in the liver and kidney. Zinc administration (40 mg/l for 30 consecutive days, in drinking water) had no effect on hematological and biochemical parameters. However, hepatic and renal zinc content and MT levels were increased. Zinc prevented the increase in serum transaminase activities, and WBC and platelet counts induced by SMF. However, the elevation of the LDH, hemoglobin and RBC levels induced by SMF exposure was not suppressed. MT concentrations in both tissues were potentiated by zinc administration in SMF-exposed rats. It is suggested that zinc supplementation could prevent toxic effects of SMF probably by its anti-oxidant properties.