Zinc supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced lipid peroxidatio

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Zinc supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced lipid

peroxidation in the rat brain.

Bediz CS, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R, Oztekin E.

Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School,

Izmir, Turkey. cem.bediz@...

Extremely low-frequency (0-300 Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMFs)

generated by power lines, wiring and home appliances are ubiquitous

in our environment. All populations are now exposed to EMF, and

exposure to EMF may pose health risks. Some of the adverse health

effects of EMF exposure are lipid peroxidation and cell damage in

various tissues. This study has investigated the effects of EMF

exposure and zinc administration on lipid peroxidation in the rat

brain. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated

to three groups; they were maintained untreated for 6 months

(control, n = 8), exposed to low-frequency (50 Hz) EMF for 5 minutes

every other day for 6 months (n = 8), or exposed to EMF and received

zinc sulfate daily (3 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally (n = 8). We

measured plasma levels of zinc and thiobarbituric acid reactive

substances (TBARS), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in

erythrocytes. TBARS and GSH levels were also determined in the brain

tissues. TBARS levels in the plasma and brain tissues were higher in

EMF-exposed rats with or without zinc supplementation, than those in

controls (p < 0.001). In addition, TBARS levels were significantly

lower in the zinc-supplemented rats than those in the EMF-exposed

rats (p < 0.001). GSH levels were significantly decreased in the

brain and erythrocytes of the EMF-exposed rats (p < 0.01), and were

highest in the zinc-supplemented rats (p < 0.001). Plasma zinc was

significantly lower in the EMF-exposed rats than those in controls (p

< 0.001), while it was highest in the zinc-supplemented rats (p <

0.001). The present study suggests that long-term exposure to low-

frequency EMF increases lipid peroxidation in the brain, which may be

ameliorated by zinc supplementation.

PMID: 16434836 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]