Effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields on [3H]glucose uptake in rat tissues

The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on [³H]glucose uptake in the peripheral tissues and organs of rats. Rats were exposed to EL F-EM F (frequency-10 Hz, induction -1.8-3.8 mT) one hour daily for 14 consecutive days. Control animals were sham exposed. On the 15th day (24 hours after last exposure) rats were injected with D-[³H]-6-glucose 500μCi/kg IP. Fifteen minutes later animals were sacrificed by decapitation and peripheral tissues were excised and examined for radioactivity (desintegrations per minute, DPM/100 mg wet tissue weight), which expressed [³H]glucose uptake. In most of the examined tissues and organs, such as liver, kidney, heart muscle, cartilage, connective tissue, tendon and skin, [³H]glucose uptake in EL F-EM F-exposed animals was significantly higher as compared to that in the sham control. Exposure to EL F-EM F did not influence [³H]glucose uptake in the thoracic aorta and the skeletal muscle. It is concluded that ELF-EMF impacts tissue glucose uptake by facilitating glucose transport via cell membranes, dependent and probably also independent of its role in increasing insulin action in insulin-dependent tissues.