Magnetic field exposure and liver disease: from current research to future directions

PAPER manual Biomed Eng Online 2026 Review Effect: benefit Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1186/s12938-026-01607-5 PMID: 42919377 Evidence Lab

Abstract

As both an environmental factor and a therapeutic modality, magnetic field (MF) exposure exerts a significant regulatory effect on liver physiology and pathology. This review systematically synthesizes the current body of evidence regarding the modulatory roles of MFs in liver diseases (LDs) and elaborates on the underlying potential mechanisms. Initially, the biological basis of the interaction between MFs and hepatic tissue is delineated. Subsequently, preclinical evidence is consolidated, which demonstrates that MFs with specific parameter settings exhibit protective or therapeutic potential in experimental models of acute liver injury (ALI), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), hepatic fibrosis (HF), and hepatocellular carcinoma. Accumulating evidence indicates that MFs predominantly exert their regulatory effects by modulating interconnected biological pathways, including iron metabolism, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, as well as cellular autophagy and apoptosis. Collectively, these mechanisms constitute a complex regulatory network that underpins the hepatoprotective effects and potential therapeutic efficacy of MFs. Finally, future perspectives are proposed. While existing evidence remains predominantly preclinical, future research must prioritize the standardization of MF parameters, the further elucidation of underlying mechanisms, and the acceleration of clinical translation. These efforts are essential to definitively establish the therapeutic potential of MFs in the prevention and management of LDs.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

benefit

Population

Predominantly preclinical experimental models of liver disease

Sample size

—

Exposure

Environmental and therapeutic magnetic fields

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 94% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review reports predominantly preclinical evidence that magnetic fields with specific parameter settings exhibit protective or therapeutic potential in experimental models of several liver diseases. Reported regulatory mechanisms involve iron metabolism, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, autophagy, and apoptosis; clinical therapeutic efficacy remains to be established.

Outcomes measured

Acute liver injury
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Hepatic fibrosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Iron metabolism
Oxidative stress
Gut microbiota
Cellular autophagy and apoptosis

Limitations

Evidence remains predominantly preclinical.
Magnetic field parameters require standardization.
Underlying mechanisms require further elucidation.
Therapeutic potential in clinical prevention and management remains to be established.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "Environmental and therapeutic magnetic fields",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Predominantly preclinical experimental models of liver disease",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Acute liver injury",
        "Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease",
        "Hepatic fibrosis",
        "Hepatocellular carcinoma",
        "Iron metabolism",
        "Oxidative stress",
        "Gut microbiota",
        "Cellular autophagy and apoptosis"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The review reports predominantly preclinical evidence that magnetic fields with specific parameter settings exhibit protective or therapeutic potential in experimental models of several liver diseases. Reported regulatory mechanisms involve iron metabolism, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, autophagy, and apoptosis; clinical therapeutic efficacy remains to be established.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Evidence remains predominantly preclinical.",
        "Magnetic field parameters require standardization.",
        "Underlying mechanisms require further elucidation.",
        "Therapeutic potential in clinical prevention and management remains to be established."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.939999999999999946709294817992486059665679931640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "magnetic fields",
        "liver disease",
        "hepatoprotection",
        "acute liver injury",
        "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease",
        "hepatic fibrosis",
        "hepatocellular carcinoma",
        "iron metabolism",
        "oxidative stress",
        "gut microbiota",
        "autophagy",
        "apoptosis",
        "preclinical evidence"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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