Whole body exposure to low frequency magnetic field: no provable effects on the cellular energetics of rat skeletal muscle

Abstract

On the basis of previous experience with biological effects of electromagnetic fields a potential effect of homogeneous sinusoidal magnetic field (50 Hz, 10 mT) on energy state of rat skeletal muscle was investigated. Two different total body exposures to magnetic field were selected: (1) repeated 1 hour exposure, 2 times a week for 3 months, and (2) acute 1.5 hour exposure (and the appropriate control groups). Important energy metabolites (adenosine triphosphate--ATP, creatine phosphate, creatine, lactate, pyruvate and inorganic phosphate) were analysed by enzymatic and spectroscopic methods in musculus gracilis cranialis. On the basis of the concentration of important energy metabolites the apparent Gibbs free energy of ATP hydrolysis and creatine charge was calculated. Our results demonstrate no influence of this low frequency magnetic field on the level of important energy metabolites in rat skeletal muscle. The conclusion of this study is that neither repeated exposure nor the acute exposure of rats to the sinusoidal magnetic field of given parameters has any important influence on the energy state of the skeletal muscle.