Effects of combined ferrous sulfate administration and exposure to static magnetic field on brain oxidative stress and emotional behavior.

The present study was done to investigate behavioral effects and oxidative stress in iron- treated and co-exposed static magnetic field (SMF)-iron rats. Anxiety in the elevated plus- maze test, and motor skills were also assessed in the stationary beam and suspended string tests. After behavioral tests, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were removed for biochemical analysis. The co-exposure to iron and SMF induced a significant difference in elevated plus-maze test in rats. The frequency of entries and time spent in the open arms was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the iron- and SMF-exposed group compared with the group treated with iron alone and in the control group. However, no significant difference was noticed for the motor skill test between the three groups. The biochemical investigation showed that malondialdehyde level increased (p<0.001) and that glutathione level and catalase enzyme activity decreased (p<0.001) in brain of iron- and SMF-exposed group. The dose of iron alone used in present study, was unable to induce any effect. However, the 128 mT SMF in the presence of iron ions in the body can induce disruption in the emotional behavior and can produce oxidative stress in brain tissue of rats.

Effects of combined ferrous sulphate administration and exposure to static magnetic field on spatial learning and motor abilities in rats.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Occupational exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) increases, in particular due to the widespread use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for medical diagnosis, thus raising health concerns. This study investigated the behavioural effects of 128 mT SMF in rats and examined the hypothesis that iron supplementation (3 mg kg(-1) for 5 days) potentiate the effects of SMF. METHODS: Spatial learning abilities in the water maze, motor co-ordination in the rotarod and motor skills in the stationary beam and suspending string tests were assessed in iron-treated, SMF-exposed and co-exposed SMF-iron rats. RESULTS: Acquisition of the water maze navigation task was unaffected in all groups. SMF-exposed and iron-treated rats showed a deficit in the 7-day retention test. No deficit was found in the rotarod and suspended string tests in all groups. Only iron-treated rats were impaired in the stationary beam test. A combination of iron and SMF treatments did not produce additional degradation of performance in all tests. CONCLUSION: SMF exposure had no massive effect but affected long-term spatial memory. Iron supplementation and 128 mT SMF had no synergistic effects.

Effects of exposure to static magnetic field on motor skills and iron levels in plasma and brain of rats.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The present work investigated the behavioural and biochemistry effects of moderate exposure to a static magnetic field (SMF) in rats. SMF effects were evaluated in sham- and SMF-exposed rats. METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were exposed for 1 hour per day for 5 consecutive days to 128 millitesla (mT) SMF. Then, their motor skills were tested using a Stationary beam and Suspended string test. Iron level in plasma and brain (i.e. frontal cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus and cerebellum) was measured. RESULTS: No significant change was observed between sham and SMF-exposed rats in the Stationary beam and Suspended string test. However, the same treatment induced an increase in plasma transferrin content (+25.4%) and decreased the iron level in plasma (-16.2%). The SMF treatment failed to alter the iron concentration in the brain. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that SMF exposure induced iron deficiency in plasma but did not induce motor-skills deficit.

Effect of sub-chronic ferrous sulfate treatment on motor skills, hematological and biochemical parameters in rats.

This study investigated the effects of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) on motor skills, hematological and biochemical parameters in rats. Adult rats were treated with dose of iron (280 mg/L, per os) for 15 consecutive days in drinking water. No significant difference was noticed for the motor skills in the stationary beam (p = 0.23) and suspended string tests (p = 0.48) between control and iron-treated rats. However, iron-treated rats showed a significant increase in white blood cells count (p = 0.01), mean corpuscular volume values (p = 0.02) and decrease in frequency of peristaltic contractions of the fragment of the intestine (in vitro) compared to control rats (p = 0.01). No significant difference in plasma iron level (p = 0.89) and transferrin amount were observed after iron treatment (p = 0.65). The findings indicate that iron treatment at 280 mg/L, per os for 15 consecutive days in adult rats induced increase of hematological parameters (sign of a potential inflammation), but not motor skills deficit.

Effects of sub-acute exposure to static magnetic field on iron status and hematopoiesis in rats.

The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) on hematopoiesis and iron metabolism in male rats. At thermoneutrality (25°C), the exposition of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1h/day for 5 consecutive days) induced an increase of hematocrit (+12%, p<0.05), hemoglobin (+6%, p<0.05) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (+9%, p<0.05). SMF exposure increased the plasma transferrin concentration (+25%, p<0.05) and the capacity of iron saturation in transferrin (+24%, p<0.05). However, the plasma iron level and the coefficient of transferrin saturation decreased (respectively 17% and 33%; p<0.05) in exposed rats. Our investigations suggested that SMF induced modifications in hematological and mineral parameters, indicating the development of hypoxia-like status associated with iron deficit in rats.

Subacute static magnetic field exposure in rat induces a pseudoanemia status with increase in MCT4 and Glut4 proteins in glycolytic muscle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of subacute exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) on hematological and muscle biochemical parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats, daily exposed to SMF, were exposed to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day) during 15 consecutive days. SMF-exposed rats showed a significant decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) values compared to sham-exposed rats (p < 0.05). Concomitant decreases of plasma iron level against increase in transferrin amount were also observed after SMF exposure (p < 0.0.05). In postprandial condition, SMF-exposed rats presented higher plasma lactate (p < 0.01). Additionally, SMF exposure increased monocarboxylate transporters (MCT4) and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4)'s contents only in glycolytic muscle (p < 0.05). SMF exposure induced alteration of hematological parameters; importantly, we noticed a pseudoanemia status, which seems to affect tissue oxygen delivery. Additionally, SMF exposure seems to favor the extrusion of lactate from the cell to the blood compartment. Given that, these arguments advocate for an adaptive response to a hypoxia status following SMF exposure.

Is static magnetic field exposure a new model of metabolic alteration? Comparison with Zucker rats.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate if the metabolic alterations observed after static magnetic field (SMF) exposure participates in the development of a pre-diabetic state. A comparison study using the insulin resistant animal model, the Zucker rat and the SMF-exposed Wistar rat was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zucker rats were compared to Wistar rats either exposed to a 128 mT or 0 mT SMF (sham exposed) and analysed. This moderate-intensity SMF exposure of Wistar rats was performed for 1 h/day during 15 consecutive days. RESULTS: Wistar rats exposed to the SMF showed increased levels of carbohydrate and lipid metabolites (i.e., lactate, glycerol, cholesterol and phospholipids) compared to sham-exposed rats. Zucker rats displayed a normoglycemia associated with a high insulin level as opposed to Wistar rats which presented hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia after exposure to the SMF. During the glucose tolerance test, unexposed Zucker rats and Wistar rats exposed to the SMF exhibited a significantly higher hyperglycemia compared to sham-exposed Wistar rats suggesting an impairment of glucose clearance. In muscle, glycogen content was lower and phospholipids content was elevated for both unexposed Zucker rats and Wistar rats exposed to the SMF compared to Wistar rats sham control. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the metabolic alterations following exposure to a static magnetic field of moderate intensity could trigger the development of a pre-diabetic state.

Effects of exposure to a 128-mT static magnetic field on glucose and lipid metabolism in serum and skeletal muscle of rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increasing environmental pollution may participate in the growing incidence of metabolic disorders. Static magnetic fields (SMFs) are an emerging environmental health issue due to increased exposure in residential and commercial areas; however, their metabolic effects in serum and skeletal muscle are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SMF exposure on glucose and lipid metabolism in serum and skeletal muscles of rats. METHODS: Twelve 6- to 7-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: rats exposed to 128 mT SMF and sham-exposed rats. This moderate-intensity exposure was performed for 1 h/day for 15 consecutive days. RESULTS: Animals exposed to 128 mT SMF displayed significant changes in both glucose (i.e., increases in plasma glucose and lactate and decrease in plasma insulin levels) and lipid (i.e., increases in plasma glycerol, cholesterol and phospholipids but not triglyceride levels) metabolism. During intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests, SMF-exposed rats displayed significantly higher hyperglycemia compared to sham-exposed rats despite similar insulin levels in both groups. In tissues, SMF exposure induced significant alterations in enzyme activities only in glycolytic muscles and caused a significant decrease in quadriceps and liver glycogen content together with increased phospholipid levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that subacute SMF exposure of moderate intensity induces important alterations of glucose and lipid metabolisms, which deserve further investigations to evaluate long-term consequences.