Effect of extract on apoptosis in the rat cerebellum, following prenatal and postnatal exposure to an electromagnetic field.

Abstract

The expansion of mobile phone technology has raised concerns regarding the effect of 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the central nervous system. At present, the developing human brain is regularly exposed to mobile telephones, pre- and postnatally. Several studies have demonstrated the acute effects of EMF exposure during pre- or postnatal periods; however, the chronic effects of EMF exposure are less understood. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the chronic effects of EMF on the pre- and postnatal rat cerebellum. The control group was maintained in the same conditions as the experimental groups, without the exposure to EMF. In the EMF1 group, the rats were exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods (until postnatal day 80). In the EMF2 group, the rats were also exposed to EMF pre- and postnatally; in addition, however, they were provided with a daily oral supplementation of extract (∼2 g/kg). The number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the rats in the control and experimental groups were then counted. The neurodegenerative changes were studied using cresyl violet staining, and these changes were evaluated. In comparison with the control animals, the EMF1 group demonstrated a significant increase in the number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the cerebellum (P<0.001). However, in comparison with the EMF1 group, the EMF2 group exhibited significantly fewer caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells in the cerebellum. In the EMF1 group, the Purkinje neurons were revealed to have undergone dark neuron degenerative changes. However, the presence of dark Purkinje neurons was reduced in the EMF2 group, compared with the EMF1 group. The results indicated that apoptosis and neurodegeneration in rats exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods may be reduced with extract therapy.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, rats exposed to 900-MHz EMF (EMF1) had a significant increase in caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells (P<0.001) and showed dark neuron degenerative changes in Purkinje neurons. Rats exposed to EMF plus daily oral extract supplementation (~2 g/kg; EMF2) had significantly fewer caspase-3-labeled cells and reduced dark Purkinje neurons compared with EMF1.

Outcomes measured

• Apoptosis in cerebellum (caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells)
• Neurodegenerative changes in cerebellum (cresyl violet staining; dark Purkinje neurons)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• Specific extract name/composition not provided in the abstract
• Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in the abstract
• Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  Study concerns RF exposure from mobile phone technology (900 MHz), relevant to RF health risk discussions.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "pre- and postnatal exposure until postnatal day 80"
    },
    "population": "Rats (prenatal and postnatal exposure; cerebellum assessed)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Apoptosis in cerebellum (caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells)",
        "Neurodegenerative changes in cerebellum (cresyl violet staining; dark Purkinje neurons)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, rats exposed to 900-MHz EMF (EMF1) had a significant increase in caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells (P<0.001) and showed dark neuron degenerative changes in Purkinje neurons. Rats exposed to EMF plus daily oral extract supplementation (~2 g/kg; EMF2) had significantly fewer caspase-3-labeled cells and reduced dark Purkinje neurons compared with EMF1.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "Specific extract name/composition not provided in the abstract",
        "Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in the abstract",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "900 MHz",
        "electromagnetic field",
        "EMF",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "postnatal exposure",
        "rat",
        "cerebellum",
        "Purkinje neurons",
        "granule cells",
        "caspase-3",
        "apoptosis",
        "neurodegeneration",
        "dark neuron",
        "cresyl violet",
        "extract supplementation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Study concerns RF exposure from mobile phone technology (900 MHz), relevant to RF health risk discussions."
        }
    ]
}

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