Extremely low frequency magnetic fields cause oxidative DNA damage in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To detect the genotoxic effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) -magnetic fields (MF) on oxidative DNA base modifications [8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua) and 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyAde)] in rat leucocytes, measured following exposure to ELF-MF.


METHODS
After exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz, 100 and 500 microT, for 2 hours/day during 10 months), DNA was extracted, and measurement of DNA lesions was achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).


RESULTS
Levels of FapyAde, FapyGua and 8OHdG in DNA were increased by both 100 microT and 500 microT ELF-MF as compared to a cage-control and a sham group; however, statistical significance was observed only in the group exposed to 100 microT.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to report that ELF-MF exposure generates oxidatively induced DNA base modifications which are mutagenic in mammalian cells, such as FapyGua, FapyAde and 8-OH-Gua, in vivo. This may explain previous studies showing DNA damage and genomic instability. These findings support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to 50-Hz MF may be potentially genotoxic. However, the intensity of ELF-MF has an important influence on the extent of DNA damage.
Yokus
Beran
B
Dicle University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Depertmant of Biochemistry, 21280, Diyarbakir Turkey. beyokus@dicle.edu.tr
Akdag
M Zulkuf
MZ
Dasdag
Suleyman
S
Cakir
Dilek Ulker
DU
Kizil
Murat
M
D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004249:DNA Damage; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors