Melatonin Modulates NMDA-Receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 Pathways in Rat Brain After Long Time Exposure to GSM Radiation

2019 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1671

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Melatonin Modulates NMDA-Receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 Pathways in Rat Brain After Long Time Exposure to GSM Radiation Seymen CM, Ilgaz C, Erdogan D, Elmas C, Yar Saglam AS, Elmazoglu Z, Sirav Aral B, Take Kaplanoglu G. Melatonin Modulates NMDA-Receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 Pathways in Rat Brain After Long Time Exposure to GSM Radiation. Turk Neurosurg. 2019 Jul 11. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.26492-19.2. Abstract AIM: In this study we aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of melatonin on the chronic radiation emitted by third generation mobile phones on the brain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Throughout a 90-day experiment, no application was performed on the control group. The second group was exposed to 2100 MHz radiation for 30 minutes. Subcutaneous melatonin was injected into the third group. Subcutaneous melatonin injection was applied 40 minutes before radiation and then the fourth group was exposed to radiation for 30 minutes. At the end of the experiment, brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) tissues were taken from the subjects. Histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and Western blot analyses were applied. In addition to brain weight, Purkinje cells' number, immunohistochemical H Score analyses and the results of the Western blot were examined statistically. RESULTS: As a result, with the application of radiation, neuronal edema, relatively-decreased numbers of neurons on hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, displacement of the Purkinje neurons and dark neurons findings were observed as a result of histochemical stainings. Radiation also activated the NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain- 1/Caspase-12 pathway, NMDA-receptor 2B and Calpain-1 with the findings being supported by Western blot analyses. Pre-increased protein synthesis before apoptosis was identified by electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: Taken together, mobile phone radiation caused certain (ultra) structural changes on the brain and activated the NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway; in addition, melatonin was effective, but insufficient to demonstrate any protective effects. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 directionharm

PopulationMale Wistar albino rats

Sample size24

ExposureRF · 2100 MHz · 30 minutes; over a 90-day experiment (chronic/long-term exposure)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, the radiation-exposed group showed neuronal edema, relatively decreased neuron numbers in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, Purkinje neuron displacement, and dark neurons. Radiation exposure was associated with activation of the NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway, supported by Western blot findings. The authors report melatonin was effective but insufficient to demonstrate protective effects against these changes.

Outcomes measured

Brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) histochemical findings (neuronal edema; neuron counts in hippocampal CA1/CA3; Purkinje neuron displacement; dark neurons)
NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway activation (immunohistochemistry; Western blot)
Ultrastructural findings by electron microscopy (protein synthesis before apoptosis)
Brain weight
Purkinje cell number
Immunohistochemical H score
Western blot protein levels (NMDA-receptor 2B; Calpain-1; Caspase-12 pathway-related)
Effect of melatonin pretreatment on radiation-associated changes

Limitations

No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
Exposure description is limited (e.g., unclear whether 30 minutes was per day)
Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
Protective effect of melatonin described as insufficient without quantitative detail in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 2100,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 minutes; over a 90-day experiment (chronic/long-term exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar albino rats",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) histochemical findings (neuronal edema; neuron counts in hippocampal CA1/CA3; Purkinje neuron displacement; dark neurons)",
    "NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway activation (immunohistochemistry; Western blot)",
    "Ultrastructural findings by electron microscopy (protein synthesis before apoptosis)",
    "Brain weight",
    "Purkinje cell number",
    "Immunohistochemical H score",
    "Western blot protein levels (NMDA-receptor 2B; Calpain-1; Caspase-12 pathway-related)",
    "Effect of melatonin pretreatment on radiation-associated changes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, the radiation-exposed group showed neuronal edema, relatively decreased neuron numbers in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, Purkinje neuron displacement, and dark neurons. Radiation exposure was associated with activation of the NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway, supported by Western blot findings. The authors report melatonin was effective but insufficient to demonstrate protective effects against these changes.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure description is limited (e.g., unclear whether 30 minutes was per day)",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Protective effect of melatonin described as insufficient without quantitative detail in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "melatonin",
    "GSM radiation",
    "third generation mobile phones",
    "2100 MHz",
    "rat brain",
    "hippocampus",
    "Purkinje cells",
    "NMDA receptor 2B",
    "calpain-1",
    "caspase-12",
    "apoptosis",
    "ultrastructure",
    "Western blot"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines chronic exposure to 3G mobile phone RF (2100 MHz) and brain outcomes in rats."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.5137/1019-5149.jtn.26492-19.2
PubMed: Not supplied

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