Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of magnetic field on food and water intake and body weight of spinal cord injured rats med./bio.

Published in: Indian J Exp Biol 2010; 48 (10): 982-986

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of magnetic fields on desired restoration of body weight and food intake in an animal model of complete transection of spinal cord.

Background/further details

Weight loss is a common consequence of any surgical injury including complete transection of spinal cord.
Rats were divided into 1) a sham injury group (n=7), 2) a "spinal cord injury + sham exposure" group (n=8) and 3) a "injury + magnetic field exposure" group (n=8). In the injury groups, the spinal cord was transected completely at T13 level. Exposure was started 24 h post injury.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week, for 8 weeks

General information

rats were divided into three groups: i) sham spinal cord injury ii) spinal cord injury + sham exposure iii) spinal cord injury + EMF exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week, for 8 weeks
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup outer and inner coils with 8 turns each, connected in series, mounted on a stand; movable platform with rats' cage (6 rats) placed in the center of the coil system
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 17.96 µT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Kirschvink JL (1992): Uniform magnetic fields and double-wrapped coil systems: improved techniques for the design of bioelectromagnetic experiments

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Chronic exposure to magnetic field in complete spinal cord transected rats restored food intake, water intake and body weight compared to those injured rats that were sham exposed (group 2).
The data suggest a significant beneficial effect of chronic exposure to magnetic field of paraplegic rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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