Kıymet Kübra Yurt

Electromagnetic field and brain development.

Rapid advances in technology involve increased exposures to radio-frequency/microwave radiation from mobile phones and other wireless transmitting devices. As cell phones are held close to the head during talking and often stored next to the reproductive organs, studies are mostly focused on the brain. In fact, more research is especially needed to investigate electromagnetic field (EMF)s effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies clearly demonstrate that EMF emitted by cell phones could affect a range of body systems and functions. Recent work has demonstrated that EMF inhibit the formation and differentiation of neural stem cells during embryonic development and also affect reproductive and neurological health of adults that have undergone prenatal exposure. The aim of this review is to discuss the developing CNS and explain potential impacts of EMF on this system.

Effects of the melatonin on the kidney of high fat diet fed obese rats: A stereological and histological approach

Article History Received 25/ 02 /2012 Accepted 22/ 05 /2013 Obesity is associated with multiple conditions that are known to compromise renal function, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, and the metabolic syndrome that can independently have a detrimental effect on renal function. The aim of this study was to examine effects of fatty diet induced obesity and melatonin on kidney in female rats by histological and quantative methods. For this aim, 24 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including Non-obese control (NC group), Obese control (OC group), Nonobese Melatonin (NOM group) and Obese-Melatonin (OM group) groups. In the obese groups, rats, were fed with high fat diet (40% of calories from fat) for 15 weeks. The rats of the non-obese groups were fed with standard, commercial rat diet during the same period. At the end of the 15th week, rats in the melatonin groups started to received daily injections (i.p.) 10 mg/kg melatonin for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, a serial sections of kidneys were stained with Hematoxylen-eosin. Glomerular number (Ng) is considered a major determinant of renal function and outcome. Unbiased stereological methods have been used to estimate of Ng. Also histopathological analysis was made on the same sections. Stereological examination of the kidneys showed differences in terms of total kidney volume, volume of cortex, medulla and numerical density of glomeruli among the groups. Light microscopic investigation showed a dilatation in blood vessels and Bowman’s space, mononuclear cell infiltration, degeneration in nephrons, including glomerulosclerosis and tubular defects, and an increase in the connective tissue in the kidneys in the OC group. But, both stereological deficits and histological damages detected in OC group recovered in OM group after melatonin treatment. We suggested that a fatty diet is responsible for the rats’ obesity and may lead to renal deformities as a result of histopathological changes such as vessel dilatation, tubular defects, inflammation and connective tissue enlargement of the kidney. Also melatonin treatment after obesity may contribute structural and functional healing.

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.

Genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields

&NA; New technologies in electronics and communications are continually emerging. An increasing use of these electronic devices such as mobile phone, computer, wireless fidelity connectors or cellular towers is raising questions concerning whether they have an adverse effect on the body. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is frequently suggested to have adverse health effects on humans and other organisms. This idea has been reported in many studies. In contrast, the therapeutic effects of EMF on different organs have also been reported. Research findings are inconsistent. This has given rise to very profound discrepancies. The duration and frequency of mobile phone calls and the association observed with various health effects has raised serious concerns due to the frequency with which these devices are used and the way they are held close to the head. The present review assesses the results of in vitro, in vivo, experimental, and epidemiological studies. The purpose of the study is to assess data concerning the carcinogenic and genotoxic effects of non‐ionizing EMF. The major genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of EMF, divided into subsections as low frequency effects and radiofrequency effects, were reviewed. The inconsistent results between similar studies and the same research groups have made it very difficult to make any comprehensive interpretation. However, evaluation of current studies suggests that EMF may represent a serious source of concern and may be hazardous to living organisms. HighlightsPublic concern over the effects of EMF on cancer is growing.In vitro and in vivo experiments concerning ELF and EMF have elicited contradictory results.Epidemiological studies may help us to understand the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of EMF.Do adverse effects differ depending on the EMF frequency involved?

Effects of short and long term electromagnetic fields exposure on the human hippocampus

The increasing use of mobile phones may have a number of physiological and psychological effects on human health. Many animal and human studies have reported various effects on the central nervous system and cognitive performance from of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by mobile phones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mobile phones on the morphology of the human brain and on cognitive performance using stereological and spectroscopic methods and neurocognitive tests. Sixty healthy female medical school students aged 18–25 years were divided into a low exposure group (30 subjects, <30 min daily use by the head) and high exposure group (30 subjects, >90 min daily use by the head). Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain analysed on OsiriX 3.2.1 workstation. Neuropsychological tests were performed for each subject. In addition, three dominant specific metabolites were analysed, choline at 3.21 ppm, creatine at 3.04 ppm and N-acetyl aspartate at 2.02 ppm. Analysis of the spectroscopic results revealed no significant difference in specific metabolites between the groups (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in terms of hippocampal volume between the groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, the results of the stroop and digit span (backward) neurocognitive tests of high exposure group for evaluating attention were significantly poorer from low exposure group (p < 0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that a lack of attention and concentration may occur in subjects who talk on mobile phones for longer times, compared to those who use phones relatively less.

Garcinia kola aqueous suspension prevents cerebellar neurodegeneration in long-term diabetic rat – a type 1 diabetes mellitus model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The development of compounds able to improve metabolic syndrome and mitigate complications caused by inappropriate glycemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus is challenging. The medicinal plant with established hypoglycemic properties Garcinia kola Heckel might have the potential to mitigate diabetes mellitus metabolic syndrome and complications. AIM OF THE STUDY We have investigated the neuroprotective properties of a suspension of G. kola seeds in long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar rats, made diabetic by single injection of streptozotocin were monitored for 8 months. Then, they were administered with distilled water or G. kola oral aqueous suspension daily for 30 days. Body weight and glycemia were determined before and after treatment. After sacrifice, cerebella were dissected out and processed for stereological quantification of Purkinje cells. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of markers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration were performed. RESULTS Purkinje cell counts were significantly increased, and histopathological signs of apoptosis and neuroinflammation decreased, in diabetic animals treated with G. kola compared to diabetic rats given distilled water. Glycemia was also markedly improved and body weight restored to non-diabetic control values, following G. kola treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that G. kola treatment improved the general condition of long-term diabetic rats and protected Purkinje cells partly by improving the systemic glycemia and mitigating neuroinflammation.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in neurological diseases

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been in use for many years and constitute a large part of prescriptions issued in daily practice. Although NSAIDs are used for many diseases in neurology, they have also been tested as a new therapeutic option for various other diseases. While their effects on headache and cerebrovascular diseases are well known, little is known about their impact on neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the use, effects and safety of NSAIDs in neurological diseases.

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.

The use of diclofenac sodium in urological practice: A structural and neurochemical based review

Diclofenac sodium (DS) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antipyretic and analgesic effects. It is mainly found in the form of sodium salt. The mechanism of action of DS operates by way of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition. The physiological effect of this substance derives from a decrease in prostaglandin production. DS is a benzeneacetic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory properties. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), DS binds to both forms of COX (COX-1 and COX-2) and inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory prostaglandins by means of chelation. At the same time, this agent is also able to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, in which COX-2 is involved. DS is effective in overcoming pain and inflammation when it inhibits COX-2, but gastrointestinal side effects appear when it inhibits COX-1. In this review, we have focused on chemical structure and pharmacokinetic properties and renal effects of DS in light of current knowledge. Additionally, use of diclofenac nanoparticles were also discussed.

A concise review of optical, physical and isotropic fractionator techniques in neuroscience studies, including recent developments

Stereology is a collection of methods which makes it possible to produce interpretations about actual three-dimensional features of objects based on data obtained from their two-dimensional sections or images. Quantitative morphological studies of the central nervous system have undergone significant development. In particular, new approaches known as design-based methods have been successfully applied to neuromorphological research. The morphology of macroscopic and microscopic structures, numbers of cells in organs and structures, and geometrical features such as length, volume, surface area and volume components of the organ concerned can be estimated in an unbiased manner using stereological techniques. The most practical and simplest stereological method is the fractionator technique, one of the most widely used methods for total particle number estimation. This review summarizes fractionator methods in theory and in practice. The most important feature of the methods is the simplicity of its application and underlying reasoning. Although there are three different types of the fractionator method, physical, optical and isotropic (biochemical), the logic underlying its applications remains the same. The fractionator method is one of the strongest and best options among available methods for estimation of the total number of cells in a given structure or organ. The second part of this review focuses on recent developments in stereology, including how to deal with lost caps, with tissue section deformation and shrinkage, and discusses issues of calibration, particle identification, and the role of stereology in the era of a non-histological alternative to counting of cells, the isotropic fractionator (brain soup technique).