Biological responses to 30 mT static magnetic field in young and 36-month-old rats

Abstract

Category: Electromagnetic Biology Tags: static magnetic field, age-dependent effects, hematological parameters, immune modulation, inflammation, rats, EMF health risks DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2026.2617536 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study aimed to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to a 30 mT static magnetic field (SMF) on hematological parameters, as well as spleen and tibia cellularity, in both young and 36-month-old rats. Twenty-seven rats were divided into four groups: Young, Young SMF, Old, Old SMF. Two groups received SMF exposure for 10 weeks. Findings - Blood Analysis: After exposure, blood counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were analyzed along with immune organ cellularity. - Effects on Lymphocytes and Platelets: SMF exposure decreased lymphocyte counts and increased NLR in both age groups. PLR rose only in young rats. - Age-dependent Effects: In 36-month-old rats, SMF exposure significantly lowered platelet counts, an effect not observed in young animals. The field increased tibial and splenic cellularity for both, but had opposite impacts on lymphocyte and erythrocyte proportions depending on age. - Immune Modulation: In young rats, SMF promoted a proinflammatory shift (increased NLR and PLR), while in older rats, SMF exposure acted as a nonspecific physiological stressor, likely triggering the General Adaptation Syndrome, leading to corticosterone-mediated immunosuppression and altered cell distribution. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate age-dependent, differential modulation of NLR and PLR by subchronic SMF exposure, indicating a proinflammatory risk in younger individuals and immunosuppressive effects in older ones. These results highlight the critical role of age in determining biological responses to static magnetic fields (SMFs) and stress the importance of age-specific evaluation in EMF safety assessments. There is a clear connection between EMF exposure and immune/inflammation changes, reflective of potential health risks. Plain Language Summary - Method: Examined the impact of a 30 mT static magnetic field on blood and immune cells in very old (36-month-old) and young rats over 10 weeks. - Ethics: Humane treatment and anesthesia were employed. - Results: In old rats, SMF decreased platelet counts, potentially reducing blood clot risk, while also lowering lymphocytes and increasing NLR in both age groups. In young rats, PLR increased, indicating enhanced proinflammatory and clotting tendency. - Conclusion: The study confirms magnetic fields have age-dependent and potentially harmful biological effects—proinflammatory in the young and immunosuppressive in the old. - Recommendation: Future research and medical applications of magnetic fields must consider age due to differing health risks linked to EMF exposure.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Subchronic exposure to a 30 mT static magnetic field for 10 weeks decreased lymphocyte counts and increased NLR in both young and 36-month-old rats; PLR increased only in young rats. In 36-month-old rats, SMF exposure significantly lowered platelet counts, and SMF increased tibial and splenic cellularity in both age groups with age-dependent opposite impacts on lymphocyte and erythrocyte proportions.

Outcomes measured

• Hematological parameters (blood counts)
• Lymphocyte counts
• Platelet counts
• Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)
• Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)
• Spleen cellularity
• Tibia cellularity
• Lymphocyte and erythrocyte proportions in immune-related tissues

Suggested hubs

• animal-studies (0.9)
  Rat study assessing biological effects of static magnetic field exposure.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "static magnetic field",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Subchronic exposure for 10 weeks"
    },
    "population": "Young and 36-month-old rats",
    "sample_size": 27,
    "outcomes": [
        "Hematological parameters (blood counts)",
        "Lymphocyte counts",
        "Platelet counts",
        "Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)",
        "Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)",
        "Spleen cellularity",
        "Tibia cellularity",
        "Lymphocyte and erythrocyte proportions in immune-related tissues"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Subchronic exposure to a 30 mT static magnetic field for 10 weeks decreased lymphocyte counts and increased NLR in both young and 36-month-old rats; PLR increased only in young rats. In 36-month-old rats, SMF exposure significantly lowered platelet counts, and SMF increased tibial and splenic cellularity in both age groups with age-dependent opposite impacts on lymphocyte and erythrocyte proportions.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "static magnetic field",
        "SMF",
        "30 mT",
        "age-dependent effects",
        "rats",
        "hematology",
        "immune modulation",
        "inflammation",
        "NLR",
        "PLR",
        "platelets",
        "lymphocytes",
        "spleen cellularity",
        "tibia cellularity"
    ],
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