title: Pro-oxidant effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in the land snail Helix aspersa.
abstract: Pro-oxidant effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) 50-Hz magnetic fields were investigated in the land snail Helix aspersa exposed both in short-term laboratory treatments and under field conditions by maintaining the organisms in the proximity of a power line for up to 2 months. Oxidative perturbations were investigated as individual antioxidants (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferases, and total glutathione) and total scavenging capacity toward peroxyl radicals and hydroxyl radicals. Accumulation of lipid peroxidation products, destabilization of lysosomal membranes, and loss of DNA integrity were also evaluated as markers of cell damage. The overall results indicated an oxidative challenge caused by ELF magnetic fields with particularly prompt and sensitive responses for catalase, glutathione reductase, and the overall capability to neutralize peroxyl radicals. Cell injuries occurred to different extents according to duration and intensity of electromagnetic exposure and confirmed complex cause-effect relationships between pro-oxidant factors, efficiency of antioxidant defenses, and the onset of oxidative toxicity. This study highlights the importance of a multimarker approach for detecting a wide panel of biological responses, the necessity of investigating the long-term effects of early oxidative responses, and the role of ELF in enhancing susceptibility to other forms of pathologies or diseases.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biologia e Genetica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Ranieri, Monte D'Ago, 60121 Ancona, Italy. f.regoli@univpm.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Regoli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gorbi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Machella
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bocchetti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Notti
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fattorini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Principato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006372:Helix, Snails / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010545:Peroxides; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D002374:Catalase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione