The effect of alpha-lipoic acid on liver damage induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in a rat model

Abstract

Category: Toxicology Tags: alpha-lipoic acid, extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, liver damage, rat model, histopathology, apoptosis, inflammation DOI: 10.1177/07482337251383412 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study investigated the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on liver damage caused by extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) in rats. - Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned to four groups: - Group 1: Control group - Group 2: ELF-MF exposure group - Group 3: ELF-MF exposure + ALA administration - Group 4: Sham group - Groups 2 and 3 were exposed to ELF-MF at 2 mT intensity via two Helmholtz coils for 4 hours/day for 30 days. - Group 3 received ALA (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) 1 hour prior to each exposure for 30 days. - Group 4 was placed in the coils, but the ELF-MF generator was turned off. Findings - Histopathological analysis of the liver showed statistically significant increases in: - Hyperemia - Inflammation - Fibrosis - Vacuolization - Multiple nuclei - Biliary proliferation in Group 2 compared to all other groups. - Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels in Group 2 than in all other groups. - ELF-MF-induced alterations, including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, and multiple nuclei, were significantly reduced in Group 3 compared with Group 2. - No significant difference between Groups 2 and 3 in terms of bile duct proliferation or fibrosis. - No pathological changes in Groups 1 and 4. Conclusion ALA administration effectively reduced several histopathological changes caused by ELF-MF exposure, particularly hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, and multiple nuclei, but did not improve fibrosis or biliary proliferation. It also reduced TUNEL and caspase-3 expression, indicating that ALA has anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against ELF-MF-induced liver damage. The findings demonstrate a clear link between electromagnetic field exposure and adverse liver effects in this animal model.

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Main findings

Rats exposed to ELF magnetic fields (2 mT, 4 h/day for 30 days) showed statistically significant increases in multiple liver histopathology findings and higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels versus other groups. Alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) given prior to exposure reduced several ELF-MF-associated changes (including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, multiple nuclei) and reduced TUNEL and caspase-3, but did not significantly improve fibrosis or bile duct proliferation.

Outcomes measured

• Liver histopathology (hyperemia, inflammation, fibrosis, vacuolization, multiple nuclei, biliary proliferation)
• Apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase-3)

Suggested hubs

• animal-studies (0.9)
  Rat model assessing ELF-MF exposure effects and mitigation by alpha-lipoic acid.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "experimental (Helmholtz coils)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "4 hours/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Male rats",
    "sample_size": 32,
    "outcomes": [
        "Liver histopathology (hyperemia, inflammation, fibrosis, vacuolization, multiple nuclei, biliary proliferation)",
        "Apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase-3)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to ELF magnetic fields (2 mT, 4 h/day for 30 days) showed statistically significant increases in multiple liver histopathology findings and higher TUNEL and caspase-3 levels versus other groups. Alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) given prior to exposure reduced several ELF-MF-associated changes (including hyperemia, inflammation, vacuolization, multiple nuclei) and reduced TUNEL and caspase-3, but did not significantly improve fibrosis or bile duct proliferation.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "alpha-lipoic acid",
        "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "ELF-MF",
        "magnetic fields",
        "liver damage",
        "rat model",
        "histopathology",
        "apoptosis",
        "TUNEL",
        "caspase-3",
        "inflammation",
        "fibrosis",
        "Helmholtz coils"
    ],
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            "reason": "Rat model assessing ELF-MF exposure effects and mitigation by alpha-lipoic acid."
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