Zinc supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat brain

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Date

2006

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

TOHOKU UNIV MEDICAL PRESS

Access Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

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 hi-hest 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.

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Keywords

electromagnetic field, lipid peroxidation, zinc, brain

Journal or Series

TOHOKU JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE

WoS Q Value

Q3

Scopus Q Value

Q2

Volume

208

Issue

2

Citation