Abstract
BackgroundIt has been hypothesized in the literature that exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 or 60 Hz) may lead to human health effects such as childhood leukemia or brain tumors. In a previous study investigating multiple types of cells from brain and kidney of the mouse (Acta Neuropathologica 2004; 107: 257–264), we found increased unrepaired nuclear DNA single strand breaks (nDNA SSB) only in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus in the brain using autoradiographic methods after a continuous eight-week 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) exposure of adult mice with flux density of 1.5 mT.MethodsIn the present study we tested the hypothesis that MF exposure with lower flux densities (0.1 mT, i.e., the actual exposure limit for the population in most European countries, and 1.0 mT) shows similar results to those in the previous study. Experiments and data analysis were carried out in a similar way as in our previous study.ResultsContinuous eight-week 50 Hz MF exposure with 0.1 mT or 1.0 mT did not result in increased persisting unrepaired nDNA SSB in distinct types of cells in the brain, kidney, and liver of adult mice. MF exposure with 1.0 mT led to reduced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in epithelial cells in the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle in the brain (EC-CP) and epithelial cells of the cortical collecting duct in the kidney, as well as to reduced mtDNA synthesis in neurons of the caudate nucleus in the brain and in EC-CP.ConclusionNo evidence was found for increased persisting unrepaired nDNA SSB in distinct types of cells in the brain, kidney, and liver of adult mice after continuous eight-week 50 Hz magnetic field exposure with flux density of 0.1 mT or 1.0 mT.
Highlights
It has been hypothesized in the literature that exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 or 60 Hz) may lead to human health effects such as childhood leukemia or brain tumors [1]
Among the experiments on rats and mice listed in the ‘BioInitiative Report’ [1], the following results related to brain cells seem to be of particular importance: (i) Lai and Singh [2,3,4]; found nuclear DNA singlestrand breaks and double-strand breaks (DSB) from 0.01 mT magnetic field (MF) exposure onwards in a dosedependent manner in rats
The authors concluded that MF exposure might lead to increased generation of free radicals via the so-called Fenton reaction within mitochondria which, thereafter, cause nuclear DNA damage. (ii) Schmitz et al [6] showed that continuous 50 Hz MF exposure with flux density of 1.5 mT over 8 weeks led to increased nDNA damage exclusively in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle in the mouse brain, i.e., a small group of cells involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) and, notably, in iron transport from blood into the brain interstitium [7]
Summary
It has been hypothesized in the literature that exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 or 60 Hz) may lead to human health effects such as childhood leukemia or brain tumors [1]. It is of note that these effects could be blocked by pretreating rats with a vitamin E analog, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or an iron chelator From these data, the authors concluded that MF exposure might lead to increased generation of free radicals via the so-called Fenton reaction within mitochondria which, thereafter, cause nuclear DNA damage. Schmitz et al [6] hypothesized that MF exposure mainly affects iron transport, potentially causing increased nDNA damage in the affected cells It has been hypothesized in the literature that exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 or 60 Hz) may lead to human health effects such as childhood leukemia or brain tumors. This was not carried out for the cytoplasmic labeling, as the number of mtDNA molecules per cell is not constant, but rather varies depending on the actual energy demand of the cell (c.f., e.g., [21])
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
