Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure and restraint stress induce changes on the brain lipid profile of Wistar rats.
Martínez-Sámano J, Flores-Poblano A, Verdugo-Díaz L, Juárez-Oropeza MA, Torres-Durán PV · 2018
View Original AbstractEMF exposure triggered the same biological stress response as physical stress, altering brain chemistry and causing oxidative damage.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (the type emitted by power lines and electrical wiring) for 21 days and found it triggered the same stress response as physical restraint stress. The EMF exposure altered brain chemistry, specifically changing fat composition and increasing oxidative damage (cellular wear and tear) in different brain regions.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something crucial about how our brains respond to EMF exposure: the biological stress response is virtually identical to physical stress. The researchers found elevated corticosterone levels (a stress hormone) and widespread changes to brain lipid profiles after just three weeks of ELF-EMF exposure. What makes this particularly concerning is that these are the same frequencies we're exposed to daily from electrical wiring, appliances, and power lines in our homes and workplaces. The oxidative stress damage observed in brain tissue suggests that chronic exposure could have cumulative effects over time. While we don't know the exact exposure levels used in this study, the findings add to a growing body of evidence that EMF exposure isn't as benign as regulatory agencies claim.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 21 days
Study Details
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure, restraint stress (RS) or both (RS + ELF-EMF) on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rat brain.
Twenty-four young male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control, RS, ELF-EMF exposure, a...
Increased values of plasma corticosterone were found in RS and ELF-EMF exposed groups (p < 0.05), th...
These findings suggest that chronic exposure to ELF-EMF is similar to physiological stress, and induce changes on brain lipid profile.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2018_extremely_low_frequency_electromagnetic_1598,
author = {Martínez-Sámano J and Flores-Poblano A and Verdugo-Díaz L and Juárez-Oropeza MA and Torres-Durán PV},
title = {Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure and restraint stress induce changes on the brain lipid profile of Wistar rats.},
year = {2018},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29783956/},
}