Assessment of the effects of nocturnal exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields on the human circadian system. A comprehensive study of biochemical variables

Chronobiol Int. 1999 Nov;16(6):789-810. doi: 10.3109/07420529909016946.

Abstract

The proposed laboratory investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to both continuous and intermittent magnetic fields (MFs) (50 Hz-10 microT) on the circadian rhythm of clinical chemistry variables in humans: electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride), enzymes (amylase, lipase, aldolase, gamma glutamyl-transferase [GGT], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]), lipids (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL], apolipoprotein A1 [ApoA1], and ApoB), proteins (total proteins and albumin), nitrogen substances (uric acid, urea, and creatinine), iron, glycemia, and transferrin. Young volunteers (32 subjects; 16 exposed and 16 sham exposed) were selected according to the screening criteria. Each subject participated in two sessions held within a 4-week period. In the first session, one group of volunteers (16 subjects) was exposed to a continuous MF and then, in the second session, to an intermittent MF. The second group (16 subjects) served as a control for both sessions. At each session, blood samples were collected at 3 h intervals from 11:00 to 20:00 and hourly from 22:00 to 08:00. The results indicate that both continuous and intermittent 50-Hz linearly polarized MFs of 10 microT intensity have no effects on the circadian rhythms or on the levels of the variables studied here.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biological Clocks
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / radiation effects
  • Electrolytes / blood*
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Enzymes / blood*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipoproteins / blood*
  • Male

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Proteins
  • Electrolytes
  • Enzymes
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins