Effects of Static Magnetic Field (SMF) Exposure on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Risk Indicators

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a condition of abnormalities in blood lipids, such as increased LDL and decreased HDL. Exposure to intracellular static magnetic fields (SMFs) can affect membranes to modulate the number of Ca2+ ions, which can affect cell biological effects. Increasing the number of Ca2+ ions will affect the expression of genes that help reduce LDL levels as an indicator of CHD. This study aims to see whether the influence of SMFs can affect calcium levels, lipid profiles, SREBP-2 protein excretion, and LDLR gene expression, which affects the process of breaking down cholesterol. We used obese C57BL/6J male mice divided into standard and HFD feed groups. The HFD feed group was split into Obes0, Obes2, Obes7, Obes14, and Obes21 groups based on the day of exposure. The exposure was carried out with an intensity of Bmax = 2 mT for 1 h daily. After exposure to SMFs, there were changes in blood cholesterol and LDL levels, which tended to decrease in the Obes2 and Obes7 groups and increase in the Obes14 and Obes21 groups. In addition, the exposed group tended to have an increase in the expression of the LDLR gene, SREBP-2 protein, and calcium ion compared to the control. Although it managed to increase after exposure on days 14 and 21, there was a decrease in the expression of the LDLR gene and SREBP-2 protein; hence, the effect of SMF exposure can reduce the risk of CHD. However, research still needs to be done regarding the effective duration of exposure.