Combined exposure of peripubertal male rats to the endocrine-disrupting compound atrazine and power-frequency electromagnetic fields causes degranulation of cutaneous mast cells: a new toxic environmental hazard?

Abstract

The effects of single and combined treatments of the endocrine-disrupting compound atrazine and the power-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were investigated on cutaneous mast cells in juvenile/peripubertal male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into six groups: (1) 4 h/day exposure to EMFs (50 Hz), (2) 20 mg/kg of body weight (bw) of atrazine, (3) 200 mg/kg bw of atrazine, (4) EMFs with 20 mg/kg bw of atrazine, (5) EMFs with 200 mg/kg bw of atrazine, and (6) control. Both the atrazine and the combined treatments, but not the single EMF exposure, increased the number of degranulated mast cells. Statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the control and both of the combined treatments (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, low and high doses of atrazine combined with the EMFs were found significantly different when compared to the EMF group alone (both at p<0.001). Considering the biological importance of mast cells in cutaneous immune reactions, future studies should reveal whether combined exposures to chemical and physical environmental agents pose a serious health risk.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Combined exposure to atrazine and power-frequency EMFs increased the number of degranulated mast cells significantly compared to control and EMF-only groups. Single EMF exposure did not increase mast cell degranulation.

Outcomes measured

• degranulation of cutaneous mast cells

Limitations

• No sample size reported
• Only male rats studied
• Only mast cell degranulation measured, no direct health outcomes

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.7)
  Study involves power-frequency EMF exposure relevant to environmental/occupational settings.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "power-frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "4 h/day"
    },
    "population": "juvenile/peripubertal male Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "degranulation of cutaneous mast cells"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Combined exposure to atrazine and power-frequency EMFs increased the number of degranulated mast cells significantly compared to control and EMF-only groups. Single EMF exposure did not increase mast cell degranulation.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No sample size reported",
        "Only male rats studied",
        "Only mast cell degranulation measured, no direct health outcomes"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "atrazine",
        "power-frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "mast cells",
        "degranulation",
        "endocrine disruptor",
        "combined exposure"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study involves power-frequency EMF exposure relevant to environmental/occupational settings."
        }
    ]
}

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