Can exposure to manganese and extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect some important elements in the rat teeth

Background: Length and level of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is in- creasing in association with the widespread use of electrical and electronic devices and technological progress. The undesirable effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on health have attracted considerable interest. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four four- month-old male Wistar rats divided into eight groups of eight rats each were used. Seven groups were exposed to varying dosages of manganese (Mn) and a 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) of approximately 1 mT, while the last group was set aside as the cage control group and not sub- jected to any procedure. This study was intended to investigate the in- teractions between the application of MF and Mn and the elements Ca, Zn, Mg, and P thought to be involved in caries, in rat teeth. Results: Levels of Ca, Mg, Zn, and P in the ex- perimental group rats were different to those in the control group. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that ELF- MF and Mn can have significant effects on levels of elements in rat teeth. Further experimental and epidemiological studies of ELF-MF and Mn are needed in order to evaluate their dental effects.