8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System

Modulation of rat synaptosomal ATPases and acetylcholinesterase activities induced by chronic exposure to the static magnetic field.

Bioeffects Seen

Dinčić M, Krstić DZ, Čolović MB, Nešović Ostojić J, Kovačević S, De Luka SR, Djordjević DM, Ćirković S, Brkić P, Todorović J. · 2018

View Original Abstract
Share:

Static magnetic fields at 1 mT altered brain enzyme activity and increased oxidative stress in rats after 50 days of exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to weak static magnetic fields (1 mT) for 50 days and examined brain enzyme activity. They found that magnetic field exposure significantly increased the activity of key brain enzymes involved in nerve communication and energy metabolism, while also causing oxidative stress damage. These enzymes play important roles in neurological diseases, suggesting that even weak magnetic fields can alter brain chemistry.

Why This Matters

This study demonstrates that prolonged exposure to relatively weak static magnetic fields can measurably alter brain biochemistry in ways that could affect neurological function. The 1 mT exposure level is comparable to what you might encounter from some magnetic therapy devices or industrial equipment, though much stronger than typical household sources. What's particularly noteworthy is that the researchers observed these changes after 50 days of exposure, suggesting cumulative effects rather than immediate responses. The increased enzyme activity combined with oxidative stress markers indicates the brain is working harder to maintain normal function under magnetic field exposure. While the researchers suggest potential therapeutic applications, the oxidative stress component raises questions about whether these biochemical changes represent adaptation or early signs of cellular stress.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
1 mG
Exposure Duration
50 days

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mG for magnetic fields:

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.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 2,000x higher than this level

Study Details

It is considered that exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) may have both detrimental and therapeutic effect, but the mechanism of SMF influence on the living organisms is not well understood. Since the adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are involved in both physiological and pathological processes, the modulation of Na+/K+-ATPase, ecto-ATPases and AChE activities, as well as oxidative stress responses were followed in synaptosomes isolated from rats after chronic exposure toward differently oriented SMF.

Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (six animals per group): Up ...

Chronic exposure to 1 mT SMF significantly increased ATPases, AChE activities, and malondialdehyde (...

It could be concluded that chronic exposure to differently oriented SMF increases ATPases and AChE activities in rat synaptosomes. Since brain ATPases and AChE have important roles in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, SMF influence on the activity of these enzymes may have potential therapeutic importance.

Cite This Study
Dinčić M, Krstić DZ, Čolović MB, Nešović Ostojić J, Kovačević S, De Luka SR, Djordjević DM, Ćirković S, Brkić P, Todorović J. (2018). Modulation of rat synaptosomal ATPases and acetylcholinesterase activities induced by chronic exposure to the static magnetic field. Int J Radiat Biol. 94(11):1062-1071, 2018.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2018_modulation_of_rat_synaptosomal_635,
  author = {Dinčić M and Krstić DZ and Čolović MB and Nešović Ostojić J and Kovačević S and De Luka SR and Djordjević DM and Ćirković S and Brkić P and Todorović J.},
  title = {Modulation of rat synaptosomal ATPases and acetylcholinesterase activities induced by chronic exposure to the static magnetic field.},
  year = {2018},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30238840/},
}
PubMed: 30238840

Cited By (11 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, researchers found that 50-day exposure to weak static magnetic fields (1 mT) significantly increased key brain enzyme activities in rats. The magnetic fields boosted ATPases and acetylcholinesterase, enzymes crucial for nerve communication and energy metabolism, while also causing oxidative stress damage.
Yes, downward oriented static magnetic fields significantly reduced catalase activity in rat brain tissue. Catalase levels dropped to 1.48 U/mg protein compared to 2.60 U/mg protein in control groups, indicating compromised antioxidant protection and increased vulnerability to oxidative damage.
Brain chemistry changes occurred after 50 days of continuous static magnetic field exposure in this rat study. The researchers found significant increases in brain enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers, suggesting chronic rather than acute exposure creates measurable neurochemical alterations.
Static magnetic field exposure at 1 mT strength increased ATPases and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in rat brain tissue. These enzymes are critical for cellular energy production and neurotransmitter breakdown, and their altered activity levels may have implications for neurological disease development.
Yes, magnetic field orientation affects brain chemistry differently. Downward oriented fields caused more severe antioxidant enzyme damage compared to upward oriented fields. Both orientations increased other brain enzymes, but downward fields specifically reduced protective catalase activity by nearly 50 percent.