Abstract
The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could adversely affect the endocrine system and cellular proliferative response. Nonetheless, the use of 60-Hz EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions on human health but can also induce hyperglycaemia. Therefore, the present study was aimed to search for metabolic responses of fed or fasted male rats to a single EMF exposure. We performed a 15 min-single exposure to 60-Hz (3.8 mT, intensity) EMF, and determined serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameters. A single exposure to a 60-Hz EMF induced hyperglycaemia in both animal groups, and an attenuated second serum insulin peak. The 60-Hz EMF also decreased free fatty acids and lactate serum levels, oppositely increasing pyruvate and acetoacetate levels. Significant increases in blood glucose level and rat’s glucose metabolism were related to a more oxidized cellular redox state and variations in insulin and glucagon secretion. The 60-Hz EMF’s effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to chronic EMFs exposure (14 days). In conclusion, increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by a single 60-Hz EMF exposure were closely related to the cellular redox state and the insulin/glucagon ratio.
Highlights
The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could adversely affect the endocrine system and cellular proliferative response
Increased serum glucose levels were closely related with the cellular redox state and the insulin/glucagon ratio
In normal fed or fasted male Wistar rats, we found that EMFs induced a hyperglycaemic state in both fed and fasted rats, accompanied by a drastic decrease in serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels; these effects coincided with an attenuation of a second serum insulin peak
Summary
The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could adversely affect the endocrine system and cellular proliferative response. Increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by a single 60-Hz EMF exposure were closely related to the cellular redox state and the insulin/glucagon ratio. Both electrical and magnetic fields are generated, which are known as electromagnetic fields (EMFs)[1] These extremely low-frequency (ELF) EMFs have a long wavelength and range between 3 and 3000 Hz2, and its exposure could affect adversely human health, as epidemiological evidence exists indicating a correlation between exposure to ELF-EMF and childhood cancer incidence, Alzheimer disease, and even miscarriage. EMFs are seen as a prospective, noninvasive, and safe physical therapy strategy to accelerate bone repair by stimulating signalling cascades, which promotes osteogenesis and angiogenesis e ffectively[8]. Changes in EGFR status are accompanied by changes in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after EMFs exposure[15,16], increasing enzymatic antioxidant activity and improving functional and mental activity[17]
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