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Published on: July 3, 2015
Evaluating the biological safety on mice at 16 T static magnetic field with 700 MHz radio-frequency electromagnetic
Shenghang Wang1, Mengxuan Zheng2, Chenge Lou1
1Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Objectives:
This study evaluated the associated biological effects of radio-frequency (RF) exposure at 16 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on mice health.
Material And Methods:
A total of 48 healthy 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were investigated. A 16 T high static magnetic field (HiSMF) was generated by a superconducting magnet, and a radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field for hydrogen resonance at 16 T (700 MHz) was transmitted via a homemade RF system. The mice were exposed inside the 16 T HiSMF with the 700 MHz RF field for 60 min, and the body weight, organ coefficients, histomorphology of major organs, and blood indices were analyzed for the basal state of the mice on day 0 and day 14. The Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and interleukin- 6 (IL-6) were used to evaluate the thermal effects on the brain. Locomotor activity, the open field test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and grip strength test were used to assess the behavioral characteristics of the mice.
Results:
The 16 T HiSMF with 700 MHz RF electromagnetic field exposure had no significant effects on body weight, organ coefficients, or histomorphology of major organs in the mice. On day 0, the expressions of HSP70 and COX2 in the brain were increased by 16 T HiSMF with 700 MHz RF electromagnetic field exposure. However, the expression of HSP70, COX2, and IL-6 had no significant difference compared with the sham group on day 14. Compared with the sham groups, the meancorpuscularvolume (MCV) on day 0 and the total protein (TP) on day 14 were increased significantly, whereas the other blood indices did not change significantly. The 16 T HiSMF with 700 MHz RF electromagnetic field exposure caused the mice to briefly circle tightly but had no effect on other behavioral indicators.
Conclusions:
In summary, 16 T HiSMF with 700 MHz RF electromagnetic field exposure for 60 min did not have severe effects on mice.
Insights
Exposure to 16 Tesla (T) high static magnetic field (HiSMF) with 700 MHz radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields for 60 minutes showed no severe health effects in mice. Minimal transient changes in behavior and specific protein expressions were observed, but no lasting impacts were detected.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging Physics
- Toxicology
Background:
- High static magnetic fields (HiSMF) and radiofrequency (RF) fields are integral to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Understanding the biological effects of ultra-high field MRI (16 Tesla) is crucial for safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the biological effects of 16 Tesla (T) high static magnetic field (HiSMF) combined with 700 MHz radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field exposure on mice.
- To assess potential health impacts including body weight, organ health, blood indices, and behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- 48 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a 16 T HiSMF with a 700 MHz RF field for 60 minutes.
- Evaluated body weight, organ coefficients, histomorphology, blood indices, and brain tissue markers (HSP70, COX2, IL-6).
- Assessed behavioral characteristics using open field, tail suspension, forced swimming, and grip strength tests.
Main Results:
- No significant effects on body weight, organ coefficients, or major organ histomorphology were observed.
- Transient increases in brain HSP70 and COX2 on day 0, but normalized by day 14.
- Minor changes in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and total protein (TP) were noted, with no other significant blood index alterations.
- Mice exhibited brief circling behavior but no other significant behavioral changes.
Conclusions:
- 60-minute exposure to 16 T HiSMF with 700 MHz RF electromagnetic fields did not result in severe adverse health effects in mice.
- Short-term biological responses were observed but did not lead to significant long-term health issues.
