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Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Decreased Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium Levels in Costa of Rat

Biological Trace Element Research volume 143, pages 359–367 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Electromagnetic field (EMF) can affect cells due to biochemical change followed by a change in level of ions trafficking through membrane. We aimed to investigate possible changes in some elements in costa of rats exposed to long-term extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF). Rats were exposed to 100 and 500 μT ELF-MF, which are the safety standards of public and occupational exposure for 2 h/day during 10 months. At the end of the exposure period, the samples of costa were taken from the rats exposed to ELF-MF and sham. The levels of elements were measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry. Ca levels decreased in the ELF-500 exposure group in comparison to sham group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant decrease was found in Mg levels in the ELF-500 exposure group in comparison to sham and ELF-100 exposure groups (p < 0.05). Zn levels were found to be lower in the ELF-500 exposure group than those in the sham and ELF-100 exposure groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were determined between groups in terms of the levels of P, Cu and Fe. In conclusion, it can be maintained that long-term ELF-MF exposure can affect the chemical structure and metabolism of bone by changing the levels of some important elements such as Ca, Zn and Mg in rats.

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Abbreviations

ELF-MF:

extremely low-frequency magnetic field

ICNIRP:

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

EMF:

electromagnetic field

AAS:

atomic absorption spectrophotometer

UV:

ultraviolet

AC:

alternating current

DC:

direct current

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chest Surgery, Medical School of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Refik Ulku

  2. Department of Biophysics, Medical School of Dicle University, 21280, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Mehmet Zulkuf Akdag & Suleyman Dasdag

  3. Department of Chemistry, Science and Art faculty of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Sait Erdogan

  4. Department of Biostatistics, Medical School of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Zeki Akkus

Authors
  1. Refik Ulku
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  2. Mehmet Zulkuf Akdag
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  3. Sait Erdogan
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  4. Zeki Akkus
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  5. Suleyman Dasdag
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Correspondence to Mehmet Zulkuf Akdag.

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Ulku, R., Akdag, M.Z., Erdogan, S. et al. Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Decreased Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium Levels in Costa of Rat. Biol Trace Elem Res 143, 359–367 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8855-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8855-2

Keywords

  • Extremely low-frequency magnetic field
  • Costa
  • Elements
  • Bone