ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Influence of Electromagnetic Fields
on Prooxidant/Antioxidant Balance
in Rat Liver
Karolina Sieroń-Stołtny1, Jarosław Pasek2,3,
Grzegorz Cieślar2, Aleksander Sieroń2
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1Department of Physical Medicine, School of Health Sciences in Katowice,
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków St. 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
2Department of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Physical Medicine,
School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice,
Stefana Batorego St. 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
3Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Academy of Jan Długosz,
Armii Krajowej St. 13/15, 41-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Submission date: 2016-04-08
Final revision date: 2016-08-16
Acceptance date: 2016-08-18
Online publication date: 2017-01-31
Publication date: 2017-01-31
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2017;26(1):279-285
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ABSTRACT
The potential health consequences of common exposure of human organisms to high-voltage industrial
frequency and radio-frequency electromagnetic fields have not yet been completely recognized. The
aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 50 Hz electromagnetic field generated by high-voltage
alternating electric current transmission lines, a 900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones,
and simultaneous exposure to those forms of electromagnetic fields on prooxidant and antioxidant processes
in the liver tissue of 40 male rats randomly divided into three experimental groups exposed to different
forms of electromagnetic fields and a control sham-exposed one. After completing 28 daily exposures in
obtained liver tissue homogenates we determined the contents of markers of prooxidant processes (total
oxidant capacity and malone dialdehyde), as well as activity of selected antioxidant enzymes (superoxide
dismutase, its isoenzymes Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase). Moreover, cell
ultrastructures in specimens from liver samples were examined under an electron microscope. A four-week
exposure to a high-voltage 50 Hz electromagnetic field did not affect the prooxidant/antioxidant balance
in the liver tissue of rats, while exposure to the radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile
phone and simultaneous exposure to both forms of electromagnetic field significantly inhibited the intensity
of prooxidant processes and decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver tissue, especially
in the case of simultaneous action of both fields – probably due to their excessive use for restoring
alternatprooxidant/
antioxidant balance without causing any structural changes in liver cells visible in an electron
microscope.