title: Effect of long-term 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes of mice.
abstract: In recent years extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have become widely used in human activities, leading to an increased chance of exposure to ELF-EMF. There are few reports on in vivo mammalian genotoxic effects using micronucleus (MN) assays, which generally have been used as a short-term screening system. We analyzed the possible genotoxic effect induced by long-term exposure (7, 14, 21, 28 d) of a 50 Hz ELM-MF to mice by measuring the increase in frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte in their bone marrow (MNPCEs) and we compared it with that induced by 50 cGy of X-rays. Subsequently, we tried to reduce this chromosomal damage by administering four antioxidants substances with radioprotective capacities: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU), grape-procyanidins (P) and citrus flavonoids extract (CE). The increase in micronucleated cells was higher in both physical treatments (Control < ELF-EMF (p < 0.01) <X-rays (p > 0.001)); however, the antioxidant substances only showed a genoprotective capacity against the damage induced by ionizing radiation (Ci > PTU = DMSO (p < 0.001) >P = CE (p < 0.001). The 50 Hz ELM-MF increased MNPCEs in mouse bone marrow, expressing a genotoxic capacity. Administration of antioxidant substances with radioprotective capacities known to act through the elimination of free radicals did not diminish the genotoxic effect induced by ELM-MF.
authors.affiliation: Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia , Murcia , Spain , and.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
authors.forename: Encarnación
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olmos
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alcaraz-Saura
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Achel
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents