RF Safe

Neuroprotective effect of ginseng against alteration of calcium binding proteins immunoreactivity in the mice hippocampus after radiofrequency exposure.

BioMed research international · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4574

After one-month EMF exposure (SAR 1.6), the exposed group showed loss of dendritic arborization in Cornu Ammonis areas and decreased staining intensity of granule cells in the dentate gyrus, with a significant difference in relative mean density versus sham c…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioMed research international · 2013
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) such as calbindin D28-k, parvalbumin, and calretinin are able to bind Ca(2+) with high affinity. Changes in Ca(2+) concentrations via CaBPs can disturb Ca(2+) homeostasis. Brain damage can be induced by the prolonged electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure with loss of interacellular Ca(2+) balance. The present study investigated the radioprotective effect of ginseng in regard to CaBPs immunoreactivity (IR) in the hippocampus through immunohistochemistry after one-month exposure at 1.6 SAR value by comparing sham control with exposed and ginseng-treated exposed groups separately. Loss of dendritic arborization was noted with the CaBPs in the Cornu Ammonis areas as well as a decrease of staining intensity of the granule cells in the dentate gyrus after exposure while no loss was observed in the ginseng-treated group. A significant difference in the relative mean density was noted between control and exposed groups but was nonsignificant in the ginseng-treated group. Decrease in CaBP IR with changes in the neuronal staining as observed in the exposed group would affect the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit by alteration of the Ca(2+) concentration which could be prevented by ginseng. Hence, ginseng could contribute as a radioprotective agent against EMF exposure, contributing to the maintenance of Ca(2+) homeostasis by preventing impairment of intracellular Ca(2+) levels in the hippocampus.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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
Populationmice
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposure1.6 W/kg · one-month
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After one-month EMF exposure (SAR 1.6), the exposed group showed loss of dendritic arborization in Cornu Ammonis areas and decreased staining intensity of granule cells in the dentate gyrus, with a significant difference in relative mean density versus sham control. These changes were not observed (and the difference was nonsignificant) in the ginseng-treated exposed group, suggesting ginseng mitigated exposure-associated reductions in CaBP immunoreactivity.

Outcomes measured

  • Hippocampal calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) immunoreactivity (calbindin D28-k, parvalbumin, calretinin)
  • Dendritic arborization in Cornu Ammonis areas
  • Staining intensity of granule cells in dentate gyrus
  • Relative mean density (immunohistochemistry measure)

Limitations

  • Frequency and specific RF source not stated in the abstract
  • Sample size not reported in the abstract
  • Outcome measures are immunohistochemical markers; functional/behavioral outcomes not described
  • Details of randomization/blinding and exposure setup not provided in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 1.6,
    "duration": "one-month"
  },
  "population": "mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Hippocampal calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) immunoreactivity (calbindin D28-k, parvalbumin, calretinin)",
    "Dendritic arborization in Cornu Ammonis areas",
    "Staining intensity of granule cells in dentate gyrus",
    "Relative mean density (immunohistochemistry measure)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After one-month EMF exposure (SAR 1.6), the exposed group showed loss of dendritic arborization in Cornu Ammonis areas and decreased staining intensity of granule cells in the dentate gyrus, with a significant difference in relative mean density versus sham control. These changes were not observed (and the difference was nonsignificant) in the ginseng-treated exposed group, suggesting ginseng mitigated exposure-associated reductions in CaBP immunoreactivity.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and specific RF source not stated in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Outcome measures are immunohistochemical markers; functional/behavioral outcomes not described",
    "Details of randomization/blinding and exposure setup not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "EMF exposure",
    "SAR 1.6",
    "ginseng",
    "hippocampus",
    "calcium binding proteins",
    "calbindin D28-k",
    "parvalbumin",
    "calretinin",
    "immunohistochemistry",
    "radioprotective"
  ],
  "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: 10.1155/2013/812641
PubMed: 24069603

Read the original paper →

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