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

Objective: To investigate the relationship of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from 900 MHz cellphone frequency with testicular oxidative damage and its influence on the Prdx2 protein expression in the rat testis, and to explore the mechanism of Guilingji Capsules (GC) alleviating oxidative damage to the testis tissue. METHODS: Fifty healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, sham-EMR, 4-h EMR, 8-h EMR, 4-h EMR+GC and 8-h EMR+GC and exposed to 900 MHz EMR (370 μW/cm2) for 0, 4 or 8 hours daily for 15 successive days. The rats of the latter two groups were treated intragastrically with GC suspension and those of the first three groups with pure water after exposure to EMR each day. After 15 days of exposure and treatment, all the rats were sacrificed and their testis tissue collected for observation of the histomorphological and ultrastructural changes by HE staining and transmission electron microscopy, measurement of the levels of serum glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) with thiobarbiuric acid and determination of the Prdx2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the rats in the sham-EMR group, those in the 4-h and 8-h EMR groups showed different degrees of histomorphological and ultrastructural changes in the testis tissue, significantly decreased levels of GSH (［80.62 ± 10.99］ vs ［69.58 ± 4.18］ and ［66.17 ± 8.45］ mg/L, P < 0.05) and SOD (［172.29 ± 10.98］ vs ［158.92 ± 6.46］ and ［148.91 ± 8.60］ U/ml, P < 0.05) and increased level of MDA (［7.51 ± 1.73］ vs ［9.84 ± 1.03］ and ［11.22 ± 2.13］ umol/ml, P < 0.05), even more significantly in the 8-h than in the 4-h EMR group (P < 0.05). In comparison with the sham-EMR group, the expression of the Prdx2 protein was markedly downregulated in the 4-h and 8-h EMR groups (0.56 ± 0.03 vs 0.49 ± 0.03, 0.21 ± 0.01, P < 0.05), but again upregulated in the 4-h and 8-h EMR+GC groups (0.55±0.03 and 0.37±0.04) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Electromagnetic radiation from cellphones can cause ultrastructural damage to the testis tissue of male rats, while Guilingji Capsules can alleviate it, presumably by upregulating the Prdx2 protein expression in the testis tissue and reducing testicular oxidative damage.
Animals ; Capsules ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Glutathione/blood* ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/blood* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxiredoxins/metabolism* ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase/blood* ; Testis/pathology* ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/analysis*

Concerning on the safety risks caused by electromagnetic interference of patients implanted with high-risk active implantable medical devices in the environment of domestic MUs, this study evaluates and focuses on the requirements of electromagnetic compatibility in domestic and international standards for rail transit vehicles, the main mechanism of risks caused by EMI, the actual measurement of environmental data in MUs and the working performance of various active implantables in the compartment. The test results shows that all kinds of active implantable medical device samples works normally in the CRH2A EMU in China, and there is still a large margin between the measured radiation emission in MU and the limit required by the standards.
China ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Prostheses and Implants

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on the maturation and mineralization of rat cranial osteoblasts and its relation to IGF-1R/NO signaling pathway. METHODS: The rat osteoblasts were isolated and cultured and randomly divided into blank control group, PEMF group, GSK group (IGF-1R blocker) and PEMF+GSK group. The cells were treated with 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMF for 1.5 h/d. After 3 d of PEMF treatment, the expressions of protein kinase (AKT), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) were detected by Western blotting; on 6 d of PEMF treatment alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined; on 12 d of PEMF treatment the calcification nodule formation was demonstrated by Alizarin red staining. RESULTS: NO level was significantly increased in rat osteoblasts treated with 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMF for 1.5 h/d. Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of AKT, iNOS and PKG protein in PEMF group were higher than those in the control group (all <0.01); the ALP activity was increased(<0.05), and the PEMF group had the largest area of Alizarin red staining (<0.01). The expressions of AKT, iNOS and PKG protein in GSK group were lower than those in the control group; the ALP activity was decreased (<0.05), and the GSK group had the least area of Alizarin red staining (<0.01). The expressions of AKT, iNOS, PKG protein, the ALP activity and the area of Alizarin red staining in PEMF+GSK group were between PEMF group and GSK group. CONCLUSIONS PEMF may enhance the maturation and mineralization of rat cranial osteoblasts through IGF-1R/NO signaling pathway.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; radiation effects

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on energy metabolism and oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Worms in three adult stages (young adult stage, egg-laying stage and peak egg-laying stage) were investigated under 50 Hz, 3 mT ELF-EMF exposure. ATP levels, ATP synthase activity in vivo, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and changes of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were detected, and worms' oxidative stress responses were also evaluated under ELF-EMF exposure. The results showed that ATP levels were significantly increased under this ELF-EMF exposure, and mitochondrial ATP synthase activity was upregulated simultaneously. In young adult stage, worms' ROS level was significantly elevated, together with upregulated TAC but with a decreased ROS-TAC score indicated by principal component analysis. ROS level and TAC of worms had no significant changes in egg-laying and peak egg-laying stages. Based on these results, we concluded that ELF-EMF can enhance worm energy metabolism and elicit oxidative stress, mainly manifesting as ATP and ROS level elevation together with ATP synthase upregulation and ROS-TAC score decrease in young adult C. elegans.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Energy Metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis

Although commercialization of mobile phones has raised much concerns about the effects of radiofrequency radiation on the human body, few experimental studies have been conducted on the effects of radiofrequency radiation on physiological homeostasis, immune and inflammatory responses. Therefore, we presently investigated the effect of 835 MHz radiofrequency radiation on spontaneous wheel exercise, hormone and cytokines levels in the plasm of mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups as control, exercise, radiofrequency radiation, radiofrequency radiation & exercise group. The body weight, corticosterone and blood cytokine levels were checked for 10 weeks. Followed by the exposure to radiofrequency radiation for 6 hours a day, the more increase in body weight was observed in the radiofrequency radiation & exercise group than in the spontaneous exercise group. When the amount of spontaneous exercise was measured for 10 weeks, the amount of exercise was increased in the both control and spontaneous exercise group, while the amount of exercise was decreased in the radiofrequency radiation group. To determine whether the homeostasis, immune and inflammatory responses are indirectly affected by radiofrequency radiation exposure, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 (p70), TNF-α, IFNγ, and GM-CSF were measured by ELISA kit, respectively. As a result, the blood levels of IL-6, IL-12 (p70) and TNF-α in the spontaneous exercise group were higher than that of control group, and each cytokine levels in the radiofrequency radiation & exercise group were lower than that of control group. However, the corticosterone, IL-1β, IFNγ and GM-CSF didn't show statistically significant differences in all groups. It has been confirmed that exposure to high frequency electromagnetic waves for a long time can affect the amount of exercise, body weight, and some inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-12 (p70) and TNF-α.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cell Phones ; Corticosterone* ; Cytokines* ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Homeostasis ; Human Body ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Mice* ; Radiation Exposure

OBJECTIVES: The accumulated evidence shows that adult disease may have origins during the fetal period and maternal environmental exposure may affect fetus and infant health. To assess the environmental health of fetus and infants and examine women's concerns about environmental health, we designed and conducted an environmental health survey in reproductive-aged women in 2011. METHODS: A stratified multi-stage design was adopted for our survey, and 1,000 reproductive-aged women aged 25 to 39 years participated. The participants were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire using the computer-assisted web interviewing method. All the participants were married woman, and 80% had experienced pregnancy before completing the survey. RESULTS: In the study, 86.3% of the participants responded that they are worried about the environmental problems that may affect the fetus and infant. The participants responded that they were most worried about global warming and climate change (36.2%), electromagnetic waves (31.4%), and endocrine disrupting chemicals (25.1%). Moreover, participants responded that environmental problem can cause children's allergic disease, such as atopic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome and growth development. CONCLUSION: We found reproductive-aged women have high awareness of children's environmental health. We also recommended that additional surveys on mother and child environmental health be conducted to make a health policy for women, fetus and infant.
Adult ; Child ; Climate Change ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Endocrine Disruptors ; Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Health* ; Female ; Fetus* ; Global Warming ; Health Policy ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Infant Health ; Infant* ; Methods ; Mothers ; Pregnancy

In order to compare the radiation immunity test level of ISO 14708 series standards and the domestic and international environmental radiation standards and then to ascertain whether the radiated immunity test level has reached the limit of the radiation strength in the relevant radiation environmental standards, this paper calculated the radiation field intensity and power density according to the radiated immunity test of ISO 14708 standards, and compared with the limit of ICNIRP 1998 and GB 8702-2014.
Electromagnetic Fields ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Immunity ; Prostheses and Implants ; Radiation Dosage

Objective: To compare the effects of 50 Hz 1.8 mT sinusoidal magnetic field (SEMF) and 50 Hz 0.6 mT pulsed electromagnetic field(PEMF) on the maturation and mineralization of rat calvaria osteoblasts. Methods: Primary cultured rat calvarial osteoblasts were divided into 3 groups:blank control group, SEMF group and PEMF group. The rats in SEMT and PEMT groups were treated with 50 Hz 1.8 mT SEMF or 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMF for 90 min/d, respectively. Western blotting and Real-time RT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of Collagen-1, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), osterix (OSX) and Runt-associated transcription factor 2(Runx-2). The alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity was detected by ALP test kits at d6 and d9 after treatment, and by ALP staining using azo coupling at d10 after treatment. The formation of calcium nodules was observed by alizarin red staining. Results: Compared with blank control group, the protein and mRNA expressions of Collagen-1, BMP-2, OSX and Runx-2 in SEMT and PEMT groups were significantly increased (P <0.01 or P <0.05); while the mRNA expressions of Collagen-1 and BMP-2 in PEMF group were significantly higher than those in SEMF group. After 6 days treatment, the activity of ALP in PEMF group was significantly higher than that in blank control group (P<0.05), while such difference was not observed in SEMF group (P0.05); after 9 days treatment, the activities of ALP in both PEMF and SEMP groups were significantly higher than that in blank control group (all P<0.05), but the difference between PEMF and SEMF groups was not significant (P0.05). After 10 days treatment, ALP staining was increased in both PEMF and SEMF groups compared with that in blank control group (all P<0.01), and the stained area was bigger in PEMF group than that in SEMF group (P<0.05). After 12 days treatment, calcium nodules were increased in PEMF and SEMF groups compared with that in blank control group (all P<0.01), and more calcium nodules were observed in PEMF group than SEMF group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both 50 Hz 1.8 mT that in SEMF and 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMF can promote the maturation and mineralization of osteoblasts, and the effect of PEMF is more marked.
Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; radiation effects ; Magnetic Fields ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Skull ; drug effects

To study the genic and non-genic regulation of 50 Hz 0.6 mT pulsed electromagnenic fields (PEMF) on rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB) differentiation.ROBs were achieved by enzyme digestion, and treated with 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMFs for 1.5 hours after subculture. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA transcription of ALP, Runx2 and OSX and protein expression of Runx2 and OSX were detected at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours after PEMF treatment.The ALP activity at 3 hours after treatment was significantly higher than that in the control(<0.01), while the mRNA transcription of ALP began to increase at 6 hours after treatment. The mRNA transcription of Runx2 increased immediately after treatment and regressed at 6 hours, then increased again. The protein expression of it corresponded but with a little lag. The mRNA transcription of OSX also raised instantly after treatment, then returned to the level of control at 6 hours, and lower than control at 12 hours significantly. The protein expression of it also corresponded but with a bit delay.There are genic regulation for the protein expression of Runx2 and OSX, and non-genic regulation for the ALP activity on the process of 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMFs prompts ROBs differentiation.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Osteoblasts ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; Osteogenesis ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; radiation effects