Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on rat cortical synaptosomes

Toxicol Ind Health. 2009 May-Jun;25(4-5):249-52. doi: 10.1177/0748233709103031.

Abstract

Nerve cells are very responsive to weak pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Such non-ionizing radiation, with frequencies of 0-300 Hz and 0.1-100 mT, can affect several cellular activities, with unusual dose-response characteristics. The present study examined the effect of a 2-h exposure of synaptosomes on a system generating a peak magnetic field of 2 mT. We evaluated the changes of the synaptosomal mitochondrial respiration rate and ATP production, membrane potential, intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration, and the release of free iron and F2-isoprostanes. O2 consumption and ATP production remained unchanged in exposed synaptosomes. The intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration decreased slowly and no depolarization of the synaptosomal membrane was detected. Finally, the release of free iron and F2-isoprostanes by synaptosomal suspensions also remained unchanged after EMF exposure. These results indicate that the physiological behavior of cortical synaptosomes was unaffected by weak pulsed EMFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / biosynthesis
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / ultrastructure*
  • Deferoxamine / pharmacology
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • F2-Isoprostanes / biosynthesis
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Iron Chelating Agents / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
  • Mitochondria / physiology
  • Mitochondria / radiation effects
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Synaptosomes / physiology
  • Synaptosomes / radiation effects*

Substances

  • F2-Isoprostanes
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Iron
  • Deferoxamine
  • Calcium