Enhancement of lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice exposed to magnetic fields.

To elucidate the biological effect of static magnetic fields (SMF), we measured lipid peroxidation in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and brain of mice exposed to SMF and also evaluated the combined effect of SMF exposure on the hepatotoxicity induced by treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Lipid peroxidation in the liver was significantly increased by exposure to 4.7 T of SMF for 3, 6, 24, or 48 h, whereas that in the kidneys, heart, lungs and brain was not changed compared to the control. The combination of CCl4 injection and SMF exposure caused an increase in lipid peroxidation in the liver exceeding that caused by either treatment alone. Furthermore, the increase in activities of both GOT and GPT caused by CCl4 administration were also enhanced by SMF exposure. These results indicate that the exposure to strong SMF induces lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice and enhances the hepatotoxicity caused by CCl4 administration.