Resveratrol may reverse effects of long-term occupational exposure to EMF on power plant workers

Abstract

Overview

Concerns about the health implications of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), notably from high-voltage electricity lines, are growing with urbanization. The health outcomes linked to ELF-EMFs have been debated extensively, and protective measures against their effects remain underexplored.

Study Design and Findings

• This research included 186 male workers subjected to long-term occupational exposure to high-voltage lines and 154 males with minimal EMF exposure as controls.
• Participants received resveratrol (500 mg twice daily) or placebo to evaluate effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
• Exposed workers showed higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG, F2-isoprostane) and lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers (NF-κB, IL-6) compared to control subjects.
• Significantly, resveratrol supplementation was found to mitigate these harmful effects and stimulated cytokine production in exposed workers, contrasting with no such effect in the control group.

Conclusion

The findings affirm that long-term exposure to EMF through high-voltage electricity lines disrupts biochemical homeostasis, manifesting as oxidative and inflammatory changes. Intriguingly, resveratrol emerges as a promising agent to counteract these adverse health effects. The potential of dietary supplements in mitigating the health risks associated with environmental exposures like ELF-EMF requires further exploration.