The influence of 50 Hz magnetic field on liver function

Abstract

The present study has been conducted to evaluate the influence different intensities of 50 Hz magnetic field on some liver function tests such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, albumin and protein. The study also involved the effect of magnetic field on the oxidative state of the liver tissue. The study was conducted on about 80 Sparague-Dawely male rats of an average weight of 140-160 g. The exposure period was 2 hours/day for two weeks. The sera taken from control and exposed rats were also examined spectroscopically. The results showed an increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of all investigated liver enzymes. Both bilirubin and aspartate aminotrasferase were mostly affected with exposure (with a percentage > 90%), while albumin and alanine aminotransferase changed with about 11% and 22% respectively. The applied field also caused an increase in the liver lipid peroxidation and a decrease (p < 0.05) in glutathione concentration. Results consequently, suggest that the redox potential of both glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and nicotinamide dinucleotide (NADH/NAD) are disturbed as a result of exposure. Precursors of NADH, as a result of its exhaustion, such as kynurenine, tyrosine and tryptophan, might be also affected.