Safety of exposure to high static magnetic fields (2 T-12 T): a study on mice

Eur Radiol. 2019 Nov;29(11):6029-6037. doi: 10.1007/s00330-019-06256-y. Epub 2019 May 21.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the biological effects of high static magnetic field (HiSMF, 2-12 Tesla [T]) exposure on mice in a stable and effective breeding environment in the chamber of a superconducting magnet.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were bred in the geomagnetic field and HiSMF with different magnetic field strengths (2-4 T, 6-8 T, and 10-12 T) for 28 days. The body weight, blood indices, organ coefficients, and histomorphology of major organs were analyzed.

Results: The results showed that the HiSMF had no significant effect on the body weight, organ coefficients, or histomorphology of major organs in mice. The HiSMF had no effect on most routine blood and biochemical indices, but the value of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was increased in the 2-4 T group compared with that of the other groups, and the uric acid level (UA) was decreased in the three HiSMF groups compared with that of the control group.

Conclusion: The C57BL/6 mice were not affected when they were exposed to different HiSMF environments for 28 days.

Key points: • No physiological problems were observed in mice with long-term whole-body exposure to HiSMF.

Keywords: Magnetic fields; Mice, inbred C57BL; Organ size; Safety management; Staining and labeling.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Radiation Exposure*