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The potential protective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on the male rat optic nerve exposed to 900 MHz

The International journal of neuroscience · 2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 372

Across groups, there were no significant differences in mean axon numbers, mean axonal areas, or mean myelin sheath thicknesses (p > 0.05). Histological observations in the EMF-exposed group showed impaired myelin lamellae and frequent vacuolization between m…

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 2023
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The potential protective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on the male rat optic nerve exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation during the prenatal period Tüfekci KK, Kaplan AA, Kaya A, Alrafiah A, Altun G, Aktaş A, Kaplan S. The potential protective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on the male rat optic nerve exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation during the prenatal period. Int J Neurosci. 2023 Sep 15:1-15. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2259078. Abstract Background: Due to children and adolescents' widespread use of electronic devices, researchers have focused on pre-and early postnatal electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. However, little is known about the effects of EMF exposure on the optic nerve. The aim of study was to investigate the changes occurring in the optic nerve and the protective effects of melatonin (mel) and omega 3 (ω-3) in rats. Methods: Thirty-five pregnant rats were divided into seven groups, Cont, Sham, EMF, EMF + melatonin (EMF + Mel), EMF + ω3, Mel, and ω3. The EMF groups were exposed to 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF daily for two hours during pregnancy. After the experiment, the right optic nerve of each offspring rat was removed and fixed in glutaraldehyde. Thin and semi-thin sections were taken for electron microscopic and stereological analyses. Myelinated axon numbers, myelin sheath thicknesses, and axonal areas were estimated using stereological methods. Results: The groups had no significant differences regarding mean numbers of axons, mean axonal areas, or mean myelin sheath thicknesses (p > 0.05). Histological observations revealed impaired lamellae in the myelin sheath of most axons, and vacuolization was frequently observed between the myelin sheath and axon in the EMF-exposed group. The Mel and ω-3-treated EMF groups exhibited well-preserved myelinated nerve fibers and intact astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Conclusions: At the ultrastructural level, Mel and ω3 exhibit a neuroprotective effect on the optic nerve exposed to prenatal EMF. The protective effects of these antioxidants on oligodendrocytes, which play an essential role in myelin formation in the central nervous system, now require detailed investigation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPregnant rats and offspring (male rat optic nerve assessed)
Sample size35
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 2 hours daily during pregnancy (prenatal exposure)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across groups, there were no significant differences in mean axon numbers, mean axonal areas, or mean myelin sheath thicknesses (p > 0.05). Histological observations in the EMF-exposed group showed impaired myelin lamellae and frequent vacuolization between myelin sheath and axon, while EMF groups treated with melatonin or omega-3 showed well-preserved myelinated fibers and intact astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Outcomes measured

  • Optic nerve ultrastructure (electron microscopy)
  • Myelinated axon number (stereology)
  • Axonal area (stereology)
  • Myelin sheath thickness (stereology)
  • Histological signs of myelin/axon damage (e.g., impaired lamellae, vacuolization)
  • Astrocyte and oligodendrocyte integrity

Limitations

  • No SAR or exposure intensity metrics reported in abstract
  • Exposure source/setup not described in abstract
  • Only right optic nerve assessed (as stated)
  • Quantitative stereological endpoints were not significantly different despite qualitative ultrastructural changes
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 hours daily during pregnancy (prenatal exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant rats and offspring (male rat optic nerve assessed)",
  "sample_size": 35,
  "outcomes": [
    "Optic nerve ultrastructure (electron microscopy)",
    "Myelinated axon number (stereology)",
    "Axonal area (stereology)",
    "Myelin sheath thickness (stereology)",
    "Histological signs of myelin/axon damage (e.g., impaired lamellae, vacuolization)",
    "Astrocyte and oligodendrocyte integrity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across groups, there were no significant differences in mean axon numbers, mean axonal areas, or mean myelin sheath thicknesses (p > 0.05). Histological observations in the EMF-exposed group showed impaired myelin lamellae and frequent vacuolization between myelin sheath and axon, while EMF groups treated with melatonin or omega-3 showed well-preserved myelinated fibers and intact astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or exposure intensity metrics reported in abstract",
    "Exposure source/setup not described in abstract",
    "Only right optic nerve assessed (as stated)",
    "Quantitative stereological endpoints were not significantly different despite qualitative ultrastructural changes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "prenatal exposure",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "RF-EMF",
    "optic nerve",
    "myelin",
    "oligodendrocytes",
    "astrocytes",
    "melatonin",
    "omega-3",
    "neuroprotection",
    "electron microscopy",
    "stereology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2259078
PubMed: 37712630

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