Impact of Electrostatic Field on Select Enzymes, Oxidative Stress Markers and Haematological Parameters in Mice

Electric field effects on select antioxidants and enzymes

Abstract

Background and Aim: With the rapid development of high-voltage direct current transmission, the possibility of health effects associated with electrostatic field has caused wide public concern. In this study, the effects of Electrostatic Field (ESF) exposure on haematological parameters and the activity of select antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CPK, LDH, MDA, GSH and GABA, were investigated in mice. Methods: Adult Swiss male albino mice were divided into 4 equal groups (n=10). The mice were exposed for 5 consecutive days to SEFs with intensities of 0 kV/m (control, group I), 1 kV/m for 10 min/day (experimental group II), 5 kV/m for 10 min/day (experimental group III) or 10 kV/m for 10 min/day (experimental group IV). Results: The results revealed that SEFs significantly increased LDH and CPK activity in muscles; GABA concentrations in the brain, especially at higher intensities (5 and 10 kV/m); and MDA levels in the livers of exposed mice. On the other hand, mice exposed to different intensities of SEFs showed significant decreases in SOD activity and GSH levels in the liver. Exposure of mice to SEFs of 1, 5 and 10 kV/m for 10 min/day for 5 consecutive days induced pronounced declines in Hb, RBCs, WBCs, Hct, MCV, MCH and MCHC. The decreases in the average numbers of RBCs and WBCs and the levels of both Hb and Hct were significant. Additionally, when mice were exposed to 1 kV/m fields, RBCs in blood smears began to show poikilocytosis and marked hypochromia with anulocytes was observed. The blood smears of mice exposed to a higher SEF intensity (5 kV/m) clearly showed cell morphological changes and the emergence of abnormal forms, with many areas empty of RBCs (moderate incidence of echinocytes with moderate hypochromia). In mice exposed to SEFs of 10 kV/m, RBC morphology appeared completely different from normal morphology and the RBCs showed pathological changes; the outer membranes of the red corpuscles had changed and become serrated. Conclusion: Exposure of experimental animals to SEFs had negative effects on the brain, liver, muscles and blood, causing histological changes and disturbances in the functions of these tissues.