ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This investigation concerned theoretical and experimental studies performed to assess the ELF magnetic fields effects on collagen synthesis in the skin. 50 Hz of 1 mT (milliTesla), 2 mT and 3 mT fields were applied to guinea pigs and alterations in skin hydroxyproline levels were determined. The functionally equivalent exposure of humans was estimated from the guinea pigs’ exposure by a scaling factor (SF).

Methods:

Thirty-six male Guinea pigs weighing 250-300 g were used. Magnetic fields were generated by a pair of Helmholtz coils. The Guinea pigs were exposed to the fields of 1 mT, 2 mT and 3 mT, inside the systems for 4 hours/day over 5 days in 3 different groups. Nine animals served as controls, kept under the same conditions without being exposed to any magnetic fields. Skin hydroxyproline concentrations were determined by Woessner’s method. SF was calculated as a ratio of human to Guinea pig to obtain the human equivalence of the magnetic fields used in the experimental study by means of spherical models having dimensions representing humans and Guinea pigs.

Results:

Hydroxyproline concentrations in the guinea pigs exposed to the 1 mT magnetic field were decreased. Magnetic fields of 2 mT and 3 mT increased the hydroxyproline concentrations in exposed guinea pigs but 2 mT was more effective than 3 mT. Average SF was calculated as 5.27, depending on the induced E fields and currents in the models.

Conclusion:

Guinea pigs’ skin hydroxyproline levels were affected by ELF magnetic fields of 1 mT, 2 mT and 3 mT, and the same effects could be expected to occur in humans’ skin at the levels of 0.19 mT, 0.38 mT and 0.57 mT, respectively.