Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on left ventricular function in rabbits fed on a highª²cholesterol diet

    ZHANG Yu, LUO Erª²Ping, SHEN Guangª²Hao, XIE Kangª²Ning, WU Xiaoª²Ming

    Department of Military Medical Equipment and Metrology, School of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate the effects of lowª²intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on left ventricular function in rabbits fed on a highª²cholesterol diet. METHODS: Thirty female New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 per group): control, hyperlipid and magnetic groups. The control group was fed on a normal diet and other groups were fed on a highª²cholesterol diet. The magnetic group was exposed to 15 Hz PEMFs (4¡Á10-4 T and 10 h/d). After 8 weeks, the parameters of left ventricular function were detected, and the changes were compared with each other. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the parameters of hyperlipid group showed statistically significant differences (P<0.01), but the values of left ventricular ejection time (LVET), preejection period (PEP), isovolumic contraction time, (ICT), PEP/LVET and ICT/LVET in the magnetic group didn¬ðt show any differences (P>0.01). Compared with the hyperlipid group, the parameters of magnetic group showed statistically significant differences: LVET was prolonged, PEP and ICT were shortened, PEP/LVET and ICT/LVET were decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Lowª²intensity PEMFs are effective in improving the cardiac function. ......