Bioeffects of Static Magnetic Fields: Oxidative Stress, Genotoxic Effects, and Cancer Studies

The interaction of static magnetic fields (SMFs) with living organisms is a rapidly growing field of investigation. The magnetic fields (MFs) effect observed with radical pair recombination is one of the well-known mechanisms by which MFs interact with biological systems. Exposure to SMF can increase the activity, concentration, and life time of paramagnetic free radicals, which might cause oxidative stress, genetic mutation, and/or apoptosis. Current evidence suggests that cell proliferation can be influenced by a treatment with both SMFs and anticancer drugs. It has been recently found that SMFs can enhance the anticancer effect of chemotherapeutic drugs; this may provide a new strategy for cancer therapy. This review focuses on our own data and other data from the literature of SMFs bioeffects. Three main areas of investigation have been covered: free radical generation and oxidative stress, apoptosis and genotoxicity, and cancer. After an introduction on SMF classification and medical applications, the basic phenomena to understand the bioeffects are described. The scientific literature is summarized, integrated, and critically analyzed with the help of authoritative reviews by recognized experts; international safety guidelines are also cited

A new HPLC method for the determination of tocopherol in rat plasma

Objective: The objective of the present work is the simplification of sample treatment for vitamin E measurements in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), then the evaluation of the effect of cadmium treatment on the vitamin E level. Methods: A HPLC method to determine vitamin E was developed with direct extraction with n-hexane-dichloromethane. The dry residue was redissolved in methanol. The method employs a Supelco Discovery® C18 column and methanol/water (95:5, v/v) as the mobile phase. After being developed, the method was validated with a fluorescence detector. To examine the effects of exogenous cadmium on the plasma vitamin E concentrations, male Wistar rats (weighing 150 ± 20 g) were exposed for 48 h and 10 days to oral intake of 15 and 30 mg/L cadmium (as CdCl2) and vitamin E (10 mg/Kg of diet) simultaneously. Results: This method makes sample treatment easier, especially when working with a large number of samples. It has proved to be selective, linear, accurate and precise. Intoxication with cadmium was followed by a significant decrease in plasma vitamin E concentrations. The lowest level was obtained in the 30 mg/L dosing group after 10 days of cadmium administration. Conclusion: We describe a rapid reversed-phase (RP) HPLC procedure for the determination of vitamin E in plasma. This method might be useful in routine assessment because it saves on solvents and chromatographic time. Interestingly, α-tocopherol may play an important role in preventing oxidative stress induced by cadmium exposure by scavenging free radicals

Effects of vitamin D on insulin secretion and glucose transporter GLUT2 under static magnetic field in rat

The present study investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin secretion and glucose transporter following static magnetic field (SMF) exposure in rat. Wistar male rats were divided into the following groups: control, SMF-exposed rat (128 mT; 1 h/day for 5 days), vitamin D-treated rats (1600 IU/100 g, received by gavage for five consecutive days), and co-exposed rats (the last day and after exposure rats received a single dose of vitamin D per os). Our results showed that exposure to SMF induced an increase in plasma glucose level and a decrease in plasma insulin concentration. Moreover, β cell insulin content and islet area were lower in SMF-exposed group compared to control. Likewise, we reported the absence of GLUT2 expression in extracellular membrane of pancreatic islet in SMF-exposed group. Interestingly, supplementation with single dose of vitamin D per os corrected insulinemia and glycemia disturbances caused by SMF. By contrast, the same treatment failed to correct pancreatic area. This study provides evidence that vitamin D supplementation has curative effect on pancreas insulin content and on GLUT2 disruption caused by SMF exposure.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Vitamin E prevents glucose metabolism alterations induced by static magnetic field in rats

In the present study, we investigate the effects of a possible protective role of vitamin E (vit E) or selenium (Se) on glucose metabolism disruption induced by static magnetic field (SMF) in rats. Rats have been exposed to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day during 5 days). Our results showed that SMF failed to alter body weight and relative liver weight. Our data demonstrated that exposure to SMF increased (+21 %) blood glucose level and caused a decrease (−15 %) in liver glycogen content. Moreover, the same treatment induced a reduction of pancreatic islet area. Interestingly, supplementation with vit E (DL α-tocopherol acetate, 150 mg/kg per os during 5 days) prevented alterations induced by SMF on glucose metabolism and liver glycogen content, whereas supplementation with Se (Na2SeO3, 0.20 mg/l, in drinking water for 4 weeks) restored only hepatic glycogen contents. By contrast, both vit E and Se failed to correct the area of pancreatic islets.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Vitamin D Supplementation Ameliorates Hypoinsulinemia and Hyperglycemia in Static Magnetic Field-Exposed Rat

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in static magnetic field (SMF)-exposed rats. Rats exposed to SMF (128 mT; 1 h/day) during 5 consecutive days showed an increase in plasma glucose level and a decrease in plasma insulin concentration. By contrast, the same treatment failed to alter body weight and plasmatic total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Interestingly, supplementation with vitamin D (1,600 IU/100 g, per os) corrected and restored glycemia and insulinemia in SMF-exposed rats. The same treatment had no effects on lipid metabolism.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A new HPLC method for the determination of tocopherol in rat plasma

Objective: The objective of the present work is the simplification of sample treatment for vitamin E measurements in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), then the evaluation of the effect of cadmium treatment on the vitamin E level. Methods: A HPLC method to determine vitamin E was developed with direct extraction with n-hexane-dichloromethane. The dry residue was redissolved in methanol. The method employs a Supelco Discovery® C18 column and methanol/water (95:5, v/v) as the mobile phase. After being developed, the method was validated with a fluorescence detector. To examine the effects of exogenous cadmium on the plasma vitamin E concentrations, male Wistar rats (weighing 150 ± 20 g) were exposed for 48 h and 10 days to oral intake of 15 and 30 mg/L cadmium (as CdCl2) and vitamin E (10 mg/Kg of diet) simultaneously. Results: This method makes sample treatment easier, especially when working with a large number of samples. It has proved to be selective, linear, accurate and precise. Intoxication with cadmium was followed by a significant decrease in plasma vitamin E concentrations. The lowest level was obtained in the 30 mg/L dosing group after 10 days of cadmium administration. Conclusion: We describe a rapid reversed-phase (RP) HPLC procedure for the determination of vitamin E in plasma. This method might be useful in routine assessment because it saves on solvents and chromatographic time. Interestingly, α-tocopherol may play an important role in preventing oxidative stress induced by cadmium exposure by scavenging free radicals