The protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on electric field-induced hepatic oxidative stress.
Guler G, Turkozer Z, Tomruk A, Seyhan N · 2008
View Original AbstractPower line strength electric fields caused liver damage in animals, but antioxidant compounds provided significant protection against the harmful effects.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed guinea pigs to electric fields at the strength found near power lines (12,000 volts per meter) and measured liver damage. The electric field exposure increased harmful oxidative stress markers and decreased the liver's natural antioxidant defenses. However, when the animals were given protective antioxidant compounds, the liver damage was significantly reduced.
Why This Matters
This study provides important evidence that power line electric fields can cause measurable biological harm through oxidative stress pathways. The 12 kV/m exposure level used here is actually found in real-world environments near high-voltage transmission lines, making these findings directly relevant to human health concerns. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates both the problem and potential solutions - showing that antioxidant compounds can protect against EMF-induced liver damage. The science demonstrates that extremely low frequency electric fields don't just pass harmlessly through living tissue as industry often claims. Instead, they trigger cellular stress responses that can overwhelm the body's natural defense systems. This adds to the growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure creates oxidative stress, the same harmful process linked to aging, chronic disease, and cellular damage.
Exposure Details
- Electric Field
- 12000 V/m
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 12000 V/m for electric fields:
- 40Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Study Details
To investigate the effects of 12 kV/m electric (E) field sourced by power lines on oxidative and nitrosative stress, and antioxidant status. Furthermore, the study aimed to examine the protective effects of N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) in the liver tissues of guinea pigs against the possible detriments of electromagnetic field exposure.
Guinea pigs were exposed to 50 Hz 12 kV/m E-field. NAC and EGCG were administerated intraperitoneall...
The results of our study indicated a significant increase in the levels of oxidant products (MDA, NO...
To conclude, extremely low frequency (ELF) electric field has potential harmful effects on the living organisms by enhancing the free radical production. NAC and EGCG might have hepatoprotective effects in ELF-E field induced oxidative and nitrosative stress.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2008_the_protective_effects_of_381,
author = {Guler G and Turkozer Z and Tomruk A and Seyhan N},
title = {The protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on electric field-induced hepatic oxidative stress.},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1080/09553000802241747},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09553000802241747},
}