Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Investigation of effects of short-term exposure to 50 HZ magnetic field on central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in rats med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2015; 36 (6): 420-429

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of an acute exposure of rats and isolated sciatic nerves to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the nerve function should be investigated.

Background/further details

In total, 40 rats were used. 20 rats were used in in vivo tests and 20 rats were used to isolate sciatic nerves for in vitro tests. Accordingly, rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each): 1) exposed rats, 2) sham exposed rats, 3) exposed sciatic nerves, 4) sham exposed sciatic nerves.
In the in vivo tests, rats were anesthetized and exposure to the magnetic field was conducted from the 20th to the 22nd minute thereafter. They were examined 2 minutes prior to the exposure, 2 minutes during the exposure and 2 minutes after the exposure. For the in vitro tests, isolated nerves were exposed to the magnetic field for 30 seconds and investigated thereafter.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 minutes
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 30 seconds

General information

maximum environmental magnetic flux density was 1 µT and maximum environmental electric field intensity was 1 V/m; maximum voltage was 10 V

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 2 minutes
Additional info rats
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber rats were fixed on a plastic plate
Setup two 500-turn coils with inner diameter of 18.6 cm and outer diameter of 22.1 cm were placed parallel to each other at a distance of 2.35 cm (?) (remark EMF-Portal: probably more); the plastic plate was placed between the coils
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.3 mT - measured - ± 0.002 mT

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 30 seconds
Additional info nerves
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber nerves were placed in cell chamber on plastic plate
Setup two 500-turn coils with inner diameter of 18.6 cm and outer diameter of 22.1 cm were placed parallel to each other at a distance of 2.35 cm (?) (remark EMF-Portal: probably more); the plastic plate was placed between the coils
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.3 mT - measured - ± 0.002 mT

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were found in any parameter between exposed rats (group 1) or nerves (group 3) and their corresponding sham exposure groups (groups 2 and 4).
The authors conclude that their results do not indicate any detrimental effect of an acute exposure of rats or isolated sciatic nerves to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the nerve function. Further research on this topic is necessary as results in literature are not consistent.

Study character:

Study funded by

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