The study aimed to determine effect of extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) exposure on serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as signature cytokines of Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells, respectively. Retinoid-related orphan receptor γT and transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression levels as lineage defining of Th17 and Treg cells were also assessed in the spleen and thymus. Eighty male rats were separated into 4 exposed groups (1, 100, 500, and 2,000 μT magnetic flux intensities) and a control. All rats were immunized by human serum albumin after 1 month of the exposure and the experiment was continued in the same manner for 1 month more. The results demonstrated that the weight of thymuses was significantly declined at intensity of 2,000 μT. At the preimmunization phase, the serum levels of IL-17 and TGF-β were significantly decreased at intensities of 1 and 100 μT. The expression of Foxp3 was also downregulated at intensities of 1 and 100 μT. In conclusion, low intensities of ELF-EMF may reduce the serum levels of IL-17 and TGF-β and downregulate the expression of Foxp3 in spleen.
Keywords: extremely low frequency of electromagnetic fields; forkhead box P3; interleukin-17; retinoid-related orphan receptor γT; spleen; thymus; transforming growth factor-β.