Elfide Gizem Kivrak

Effects of prenatal 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposures on the histology of rat kidney

Abstract Purpose: To research the harmful effects of prenatal exposure of 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on kidneys of four-week-old male rats and to determine protective effects of melatonin (MEL) and omega-3 (ω-3). Materials and methods: Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were randomly placed into seven groups as follows: Control (Cont), Sham, MEL, ω-3, EMF, EMF+ MEL and EMF+ω-3. After mating, three groups (EMF, EMF+ MEL, EMF+ ω-3) were exposed to an EMF. In the fourth week subsequent to parturition, six rats were randomly chosen from each group. Mean volume of kidneys and renal cortices, the total number of glomeruli and basic histological structure of kidney were evaluated by stereological and light microscopical methods, respectively. Results: Stereological results determined the mean volume of the kidneys and cortices were significantly increased in EMF-exposed groups compared to the Cont group. However, EMF-unexposed groups were not significantly modified compared to the Cont group. Additionally, the total number of glomeruli was significantly higher in EMF-unexposed groups compared to the Cont group. Alternatively, the number of glomeruli in EMF-exposed groups was decreased compared to the Cont group. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure of rat kidneys to 900 MHz EMF resulted in increased total kidney volume and decreased the numbers of glomeruli. Moreover, MEL and ω-3 prevented adverse effects of EMF on the kidneys.

Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system

Technological devices have become essential components of daily life. However, their deleterious effects on the body, particularly on the nervous system, are well known. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have various chemical effects, including causing deterioration in large molecules in cells and imbalance in ionic equilibrium. Despite being essential for life, oxygen molecules can lead to the generation of hazardous by-products, known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), during biological reactions. These reactive oxygen species can damage cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. Antioxidant defense systems exist in order to keep free radical formation under control and to prevent their harmful effects on the biological system. Free radical formation can take place in various ways, including ultraviolet light, drugs, lipid oxidation, immunological reactions, radiation, stress, smoking, alcohol and biochemical redox reactions. Oxidative stress occurs if the antioxidant defense system is unable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Several studies have reported that exposure to EMF results in oxidative stress in many tissues of the body. Exposure to EMF is known to increase free radical concentrations and traceability and can affect the radical couple recombination. The purpose of this review was to highlight the impact of oxidative stress on antioxidant systems.

Effects of melatonin on diclofenac sodium treated rat kidney: a stereological and histopathological study

Abstract Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of diclofenac sodium (DS) and melatonin (MEL) on kidney of the prenatally administered rats. Materials and methods: Pregnant rats were divided into the control, physiological saline, DS, and DS + MEL groups. All injections were given beginning from the 5th day after mating to the 15th day of the pregnancy. Physical dissector and Cavalieri principle were used to estimate the numerical density and total number of glomeruli and the volumetric parameters of kidney, respectively. Results: Our stereological results indicated that DS application during the pregnancy lead to decrease in the mean volume, numerical density, and total number of the glomeruli (p < 0.05). In addition, we determined that usage of the MEL with the DS caused increases in the mean volume, numerical density, and total number of the glomeruli (p < 0.05). So, there was no significant difference in terms of the any parameter between the CONT and DS + MEL groups (p > 0.05). Light microscopic investigation showed congestion in blood vessels and shrinkage of the Bowmans space in the DS group. Moreover, there was degeneration in nephrons including glomerulosclerosis and tubular defects, and an increase in the connective tissue in the kidneys of the DS-treated group. However, usage of the MEL with the DS caused preventing of these pathological alterations in the kidney. Discussion: We suggested that DS might lead to adverse effects in the kidneys of the rats that are prenatally subjected to this drug. Fortunately, these adverse effects can be prevented by the melatonin supplementation.

Effects of folic acid on rat kidney exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation

Because of increased use of cell phones, the purpose of this study was to investigation of the oxidative damage caused by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by cell phones and histological and morphometrical determination of the possible protective role of folic acid (FA) in preventing the detrimental effects of EMR on the kidney. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into control (Cont), EMR, EMR + FA and FA groups, each containing six rats. The EMR and EMR + FA groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min a day over a period of 21 days, while no EMR exposure was applied to the Cont and FA groups. The source of the EMR was an EMR device which emits a digital signal producing 900-MHz frequency radiation. The generator connected to a one-monopole antenna was used in this study and the rats were placed in the plexiglass restrainer at an equal distance from the monopole antenna. Following the experimental period, and after tissue processing, a physical disector-Cavalieri method combination was applied to the sections. The mean volume of the cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubules increased significantly in the EMR groups compared to the Cont group (p < 0.01). Contrarily, the total number of glomeruli in the EMR group decreased compared to the Cont group (p < 0.01). The protective effects of FA was observed in the kidney (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the 900-MHz EMR leads to kidney damage. FA may exhibit a protective effect against the adverse effects of EMR exposure in terms of the total number of glomeruli.

The neuroprotective effect of melatonin on the hippocampus exposed to diclofenac sodium during the prenatal period

Melatonin (Mel) has strong antioxidant properties since it is a direct scavenger of oxygen-based free radicals and related species. The main aim of this study is to show whether the effects of Mel can prevent the potential adverse effects of diclofenac sodium (DS), used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) during the prenatal period, on the newborn experimental rat brain tissues using stereological methods Twenty-four male 12-week old Wistar albino rats were used. The study involved four groups (each containing six rats), those exposed, during the prenatal period, to saline 1ml/kg (Saline group), to diclofenac sodium 3.6mg/kg (DS group), or to diclofenac sodium+melatonin 50mg/kg (DS+Mel group), and a control group (Cont group). At the end of the experiment, the brains were removed from the cranium for histological and stereological analyses. Cell loss in the hippocampus exposed to DS was observed compared to the Cont group (p<0.01), and a similar side-effect was also seen in the Saline group (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in cell numbers between the Cont and DS+Mel groups (p>0.05). These results suggest that exposure to DS during pregnancy causes a decrease in the number of cells in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus in the postnatal period. Using Mel, a neuroprotective agent, reduced the toxic effects of DS.

Effects of 900-MHz radiation on the hippocampus and cerebellum of adult rats and attenuation of such effects by folic acid and Boswellia sacra

The radiation emitted from mobile phones has various deleterious effects on human health. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of exposure to the 900-MHz radiation electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by mobile phones on Ammon’s horn and the dentate gyrus (DG) in the hippocampus and cerebellum of male Wistar albino rats. We also investigated the neuroprotective effects of the antioxidants Boswellia sacra (BS) and folic acid (FA) against exposure to EMF. Twenty-four adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each, an EMF group, an EMF + FA exposure group (EFA), an EMF + BS exposure group (EBS) and a control group (Cont). The EMF, EFA and EBS groups were exposed to 900-MHz EMF radiation inside a tube once daily over 21 days (60 min/day). The Cont group was not exposed to 900-MHz EMF. The results showed that EMF caused a significant decrease in total pyramidal and granular cell numbers in the hippocampus, and DG and in Purkinje cell numbers in the cerebellum in the EMF group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). BS and FA attenuated the neurodegenerative effects of EMF in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Significant differences were also determined between the numbers of neurons in the EFA and EMF groups, and between the EBS and EMF groups (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences among Cont, EFA and EBS (p > 0.05). Our results may contribute to ongoing research into the effects of 900-MHz EMF exposure.

Does omega-3 have a protective effect on the rat adrenal gland exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields?

The aim of this study was to investigate the harmful effects of exposure to 900-megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the protective effects of omega-3 (Omg-3) against EMF in the rat adrenal gland. Eighteen Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into three groups, control (Cont), EMF, and EMF + Omg-3. The EMF and EMF + Omg-3 groups both consisted of six rats exposed to an EMF of 900 MHz for 60 min/day for 15 days. No procedure was applied to the six rats in the Cont group. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and the mean volumes of the cortex and medulla of the adrenal gland were estimated using a stereological counting technique. The stereological results showed that the mean volume of the adrenal gland increased significantly in the EMF-exposed groups compared to the Cont group. Additionally, the mean volume of the adrenal gland was significantly lower in the EMF + Omg-3 group compared to the EMF group. We suggest that Omg-3 therapy aimed at suppressing the effects of EMF may prove a safe alternative for animals, whether or not they are exposed to EMF.

Histopathological examination of glomerulus in the kidney of newborn rats following prenatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field

Widespread use of mobile phones, which are a major source of electromagnetic fields (EMF), might affect living organisms. It has been known that exposure to EMF has side effects on animal tissue and their physiological activities. The use of mobile phones is currently one of the fastest growing technological developments. The close proximity of the antenna of such a device to the abdominal organs has raised concerns about the biological interactions between EMF and the kidney. The kidney is a major potential route for the absorption of hazardous materials encountered in the environment. The mobile telephone emitting 900 MHz radiations may be absorbed by kidney more than other internal organs because mobile phones are often carried in belts. Additionally; the direct biological effects of exposure to 900-MHz EMF have not been studied extensively. For that reasons, we aimed to study the effect of prenatal exposure to 900 MHz EMF on the glomeruli in the kidney of the 4-week male rats. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two groups that are the control (Cont) and the electromagnetic fields exposure (EMF) groups (three pregnant rats each group). Pregnant rats in the Cont group were kept under the standard laboratory conditions and the pregnant rats of EMF group were exposed to an EMF of 900 MHz for 60 min/day from the first to the last day of the gestation period. The exposure period was from 12.00 p.m. to 13.00 p.m. each day. Fourteen pups were obtained from control pregnant rats (4, 5 and 5 pups from Cont 1, 2 and 3 pregnant rats, respectively) and the 15 pups were obtained EMF exposed pregnant rats (4, 5 and 6 pups from EMF 1, 2 and 3 pregnant rats, respectively) after spontaneous delivery. At the end of the 4th week, totally 11 pups were randomly selected for study without regarding their sexes. They were divided into the Cont group (n=5), obtained randomly from the pregnant rats of the control group, and the EMF group (n=6), obtained randomly from the pregnant rats of the EMF group. At the end of 4 weeks, offspring were anesthetized with urethane and removed kidneys were routinely processed and cut into serial sections at 10μm thickness, stereological and histopathological analyses were done. According to statistical analysis there were significant differences between the Cont and EMF groups in terms of numerical density of glomeruli. As a result of the study, we suggest that 900 MHz EMF may cause a decrease in the glomerular density in the rat kidney.