Can intermediate-frequency magnetic fields affect memory function-related gene expressions in hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice?

J Toxicol Sci. 2013;38(2):169-76. doi: 10.2131/jts.38.169.

Abstract

Recently, a cooking appliance based on the principle of electromagnetic induction has come to be used domestically on a widespread basis; this induction heating cooking hob mainly generates intermediate-frequency magnetic fields (IF-MF). However, whether electromagnetic fields originating from household appliances represent a health risk remains uncertain. We investigated the effect of IF-MF on the expressions of memory function-related genes and related transduction molecules in the mouse hippocampus. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were allotted to a control (sham-exposed), an exposure, or a recovery (one week after exposure) group and were exposed to IF-MF (21 kHz, 3.8 mT) one hour per day for 2 weeks. Twenty-four hour after final exposure, the expression levels of memory function-related genes and the mRNA levels for signal transduction pathway molecules in the hippocampi were examined using real-time RT-PCR. The relative mRNA expression levels of the N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B as well as transcription factors (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) -IV, cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) -1) and neurotrophins (nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF)) were not significantly altered in the IF-MF-exposed mice. We also examined the morphology of the hippocampus using a histological analysis, but no changes in the IF-MF-exposed mice were seen. This is the first in vivo study to show that IF-MF exposure did not affect the expression levels of memory function-related genes in the hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice. The present findings suggest that IF-MF exposure may not affect cognitive function in the present animal model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Magnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Transcription Factors