Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on the cervical spinal cord (CSC) of rats and the possible protective effect of luteolin (LUT) against CSC tissue damage. Methods: Quantitative data were obtained stereological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological techniques. We investigated morphometric value, superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, and the expression of high-mobility group box 1 protein molecules, as well as histological changes. Results: The total number of motor neurons in the EMF group significantly decreased in comparison with that in the control group ( < 0.05). In the EMF + LUT group, we found a significant increase in the total number of motor neurons compared with that in the EMF group ( < 0.05). SOD enzyme activity in the EMF group significantly increased in comparison with that in the control group ( < 0.05). By contrast, the EMF+LUT group exhibited a decrease in SOD level compared with the EMF group ( < 0.05). Conclusion Our results suggested that exposure to EMF could be deleterious to CSC tissues. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of LUT against SC damage might have resulted from the alleviation of oxidative stress caused by EMF.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Luteolin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; radiation effects