Subchronic exposure to static magnetic field differently affects zinc and copper content in murine organs

Abstract

Purpose Static magnetic fields (SMF) have been widely used in research, medicine and industry. Since zinc and copper play an important role in biological systems, we studied the effects of the subchronic continuous SMF exposure on their distribution in murine tissues.

Materials and methods For 30 days, mice were exposed to inhomogeneous, vertical, downward or upward oriented SMF of 1 mT averaged intensity with spatial gradient in vertical direction.

Results SMF decreased the amount of copper and zinc in liver. In brain, zinc levels were increased and copper levels were decreased. In spleen, zinc content was reduced, while copper amount remained unchanged.

Conclusions Subchronic exposure to SMF differently affected copper and zinc content in examined organs, and the changes were more pronounced for the downward oriented field. The outcome could be attributed to the protective, rather than the harmful effect of SMF.

Keywords:

• Inhomogeneous SMF of different orientation
• zinc
• copper
• brain
• liver
• spleen

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the grants No III-41013, No III-41019 and No III-45003 from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Government of Serbia.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding information

No funding body had any involvement in the preparation or content of this article or in the decision to submit it for publication.