Intracellular Ca²⁺ levels in rat ventricle cells exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic field

Abstract

Objective: Electromagnetic fields can affect intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. The aim of this study was to determine the changes intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in cardiac ventricle cells of rats exposed to 0.25 mT (2.5 Gauss) magnetic field.

Methods: Forty-five male rats were introduced to this study. The rats were divided into three groups: control, sham, and experiment. The experimental group was exposed to 0.25 mT extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field for 14 days, 3 h/day. The sham group was treated like the experimental group, except for elf-magnetic field exposure. The control group was not subjected to anything and differed from the experimental group and sham group. In the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed, cardiac tissue was removed, and these were fixed in 10% neutral formalin. Then, ventricular cells were stained by Alizarin red staining method.

Results: In the light microscopic examinations of control groups, in myofibril structures between groups, changes were not observed. In myofibril regions of the experimental group compared to other groups, increased heterogen Ca²⁺ accumulations were found.

Conclusion: ELF magnetic fields are used in daily life. The results of this study show that intracellular Ca²⁺ accumulation in cardiac ventricles can increase in rats exposed to ELF magnetic field.

Keywords::

• Magnetic field exposure
• Intracellular Ca²⁺
• Rat ventricle cells
• Cardiac risk

Declaration of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.