Effects of static magnetic field exposure on antioxidative enzymes activity and DNA in rat brain.
Amara S, Douki T, Garel C, Favier A, Sakly M, Rhouma KB, Abdelmelek H. · 2009
View Original AbstractStatic magnetic field exposure significantly weakened brain antioxidant defenses by up to 59%, forcing the body to activate protective mechanisms against cellular damage.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to strong magnetic fields for 30 days and found significant brain damage. The magnetic fields reduced protective antioxidant enzymes by up to 59% and increased harmful oxidative stress by 32%, suggesting magnetic field exposure threatens brain health.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that static magnetic field exposure can compromise the brain's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage. The 128 mT exposure level used here is comparable to what you might encounter from some MRI machines or powerful industrial magnets, though much stronger than typical household sources. What's particularly concerning is that the brain's antioxidant enzymes - your cellular defense system against harmful free radicals - were significantly weakened across multiple brain regions. The fact that the brain ramped up metallothionein production by 100% suggests your body recognizes magnetic field exposure as a biological stressor requiring an active protective response. While DNA damage was prevented in this case, the depletion of antioxidant defenses raises questions about what happens with longer or repeated exposures when these protective systems become overwhelmed.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 128 mG
- Exposure Duration
- 1 h/day during 30 consecutive days
Exposure Context
This study used 128 mG for magnetic fields:
- 6.4Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1.3Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) exposure on the antioxidative enzymes activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and DNA oxidation in male rat brain.
The exposure of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day during 30 consecutive days) decreased the glutathione p...
The same treatment decreased the CuZn-SOD (-51%, p < 0.05) and Mn-SOD (-13%, p < 0.05) activities in...
Our results indicated that sub-chronic exposure to SMF induced oxidative stress in rat hippocampus and frontal cortex. Metallothionein induction protected probably DNA against oxidative damage.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2009_effects_of_static_magnetic_595,
author = {Amara S and Douki T and Garel C and Favier A and Sakly M and Rhouma KB and Abdelmelek H.},
title = {Effects of static magnetic field exposure on antioxidative enzymes activity and DNA in rat brain.},
year = {2009},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/20037191},
}