Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and Simultaneous Treatment with Allium Cepa on Biochemical Parameters and Ultrastructure of Ovarian Tissues of Rats

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 MSc, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Molecular Medicine research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 PhD, Professor, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

3 PhD, Associate Professor, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

4 BSc, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

5 PhD, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) (50 Hz, 3 mT) on biochemical parameters of rats’ ovarian tissues and the impact of Allium cepa on the reduction of potential adverse influences of electromagnetic exposure.
Material and Methods: In this study 40 female Wistar rats were divided into four groups, including (1) control group (with 3 cc normal saline), (2) ELF-EMF group (exposed to ELF-EMF, 50 Hz), (3) Allium cepa group (received 3 cc Allium cepa), and (4) ELF-EMF and Allium cepa group (exposed to ELF-EMF and simultaneously received Allium cepa daily for 6 weeks.
Results: The MDA levels significantly increased in the second group, which were exposed to ELF-EMF and decreased in normal rats that received Allium cepa. Although, SOD, GPx, and CAT activities significantly decreased in ELF-EMF group, the combination treatment with Allium Cepa on exposed rats restored their activities to normal levels. The conduction of transmission electron microscopy study on ELF-EMF group revealed the changes regarding cytoplasmic organelles in the ovarian follicles of exposed rats. Moreover, irregular oocyte with damaged heterochromatic nuclei was observed. In degenerative oocyte, mitochondria lost their cristae
Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that ELF-EMF exposure might cause deleterious effect on ovarian tissues in rats, which may lead to infertility and subfertility. Moreover, using Allium cepa as a nutritional supplement can have beneficial effects in the protection of biological antioxidants and reproductive systems in cases exposed to ELF-EMF. 

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. References

     

    1. Lee SK, Park S, Gimm YM, Kim YW. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields induce spermatogenic germ cell apoptosis: possible mechanism. BioMed research international. 2014;2014.
    2. Kumar S. Occupational exposure associated with reproductive dysfunction. Journal of occupational health. 2004;46(1): 1-19.
    3. Tenorio BM, Jimenez GC, Morais RN, Torres SM, Albuquerque Nogueira R, Silva Junior VA. Testicular development evaluation in rats exposed to 60 Hz and 1 mT electromagnetic field. Journal of applied toxicology. 2011 Apr;31(3):223-30.
    4. Salvatore JR, Weitberg AB, Mehta S. Nonionizing electromagnetic fields and cancer: a review. ONCOLOGY-WILLISTON PARK THEN HUNTINGTON-. 1996 Apr;10:563-72.
    5. Bernabò N, Tettamanti E, Russo V, Martelli A, Turriani M, Mattoli M, et al. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure affects fertilization outcome in swine animal model. Theriogenology. 2010 Jun 1;73(9):1293-305.
    6. Nielsen F, Mikkelsen BB, Nielsen JB, Andersen HR, Grandjean P. Plasma malondialdehyde as biomarker for oxidative stress: reference interval and effects of life-style factors. Clinical chemistry. 1997 Jul 1;43(7):1209-14.
    7. Lee BC, Johng HM, Lim JK, Jeong JH, Baik KY, Nam TJ, et al. Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on the antioxidant defense system in mouse brain: a chemiluminescence study. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2004 Jan 23;73(1-2):43-8.
    8. Ménézo, Y, F Entezami, I Lichtblau, M Cohen, S Belloc, M Brack.Stress oxydant et fertilité: fausses évidences et mauvaises recettes Oxidative stress and fertility: False evidence and bad recipes. Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité. 2012;40: 787-96.
    9. Luderer U. Ovarian toxicity from reactive oxygen species. InVitamins & Hormones. 2014 ; 94: 99-127.
    10. Devine PJ, Perreault SD, Luderer U. Roles of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in ovarian toxicity. Biology of reproduction. 2012;86(2):27-1.
    11. Srinivasan K. Antioxidant potential of spices and their active constituents. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2014 Jan 1;54(3):352-72.
    12. Lee SU, Lee JH, Choi SH, Lee JS, Ohnisi-Kameyama M, Kozukue N, et al. Flavonoid content in fresh, home-processed, and light-exposed onions and in dehydrated commercial onion products. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008; 56(18):8541-8.
    13. Khaki A, Farnam A, Badie AD, Nikniaz H. Treatment effects of onion (Allium cepa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) on sexual behavior of rat after inducing an antiepileptic drug (lamotrigine). Balkan medical journal. 2012;29(3):236.
    14. Hajhosseini L, Khaki A, Merat E, Ainehchi N. Effect of rosmarinic acid on sertoli cells apoptosis and serum antioxidant levels in rats after exposure to electromagnetic fields. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2013;10(6):477-80.
    15. Beyer Jr WF, Fridovich I. Assaying for superoxide dismutase activity: some large consequences of minor changes in conditions. Analytical biochemistry. 1987 Mar 1;161(2):559-66.
    16. Lawrence RA, Parkhill LK, Burk RF. Hepatic cytosolic non selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity: its nature and the effect of selenium deficiency. J Nutr. 1978; 108: 981–7.
    17. Usoh IF, Akpan EJ, Etim EO, Farombi EO. Antioxidant actions of dried flower extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress in rats. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2005;4(3):135-41.
    18. Chernoff N, Rogers JM, Kavet R. A review of the literature on potential reproductive and developmental toxicity of electric and magnetic fields. Toxicology. 1992;74(2-3):91-126.
    19. Bakacak M, Bostancı MS, Attar R, Yıldırım ÖK, Yıldırım G, Bakacak Z, et al. The effects of electromagnetic fields on the number of ovarian primordial follicles: An experimental study. The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences. 2015;31(6):287-92.
    20. Roshangar L, Hamdi BA, Khaki AA, Rad JS, Soleimani-Rad S. Effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on oocyte differentiation and follicular development. Advanced biomedical research. 2014;3.
    21. Khaki AA, Khaki A, Ahmadi SS. The effect of Non-ionizing electromagnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz in Rat ovary: A transmission electron microscopy study. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine. 2016 Feb;14(2):125.
    22. Bodera P, Stankiewicz W, Zawada K, Antkowiak B, Paluch M, Kieliszek J, et al. Changes in antioxidant capacity of blood due to mutual action of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) and opioid drug (tramadol) in animal model of persistent inflammatory state. Pharmacological Reports. 2013;65(2):421-8.
    23. Agarwal A, Allamaneni SS. Role of free radicals in female reproductive diseases and assisted reproduction. Reproductive biomedicine online. 2004 Jan 1;9(3):338-47.
    24. Valko M, Leibfritz D, Moncol J, Cronin MT, Mazur M, Telser J. Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology. 2007 Jan 1;39(1):44-84.
    25. Agarwal A, Aponte-Mellado A, Premkumar BJ, Shaman A, Gupta S. The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction: a review. Reproductive biology and endocrinology. 2012 Dec;10(1):49.
    26. Agarwal A, Gupta S, Sikka S. The role of free radicals and antioxidants in reproduction. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2006;18(3):325-32.
    27. Vijayprasad S, Ghongane BB, Nayak BB. Effect of vitamin C on male fertility in rats subjected to forced swimming stress. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research. 2014 Jul;8(7).
    28. Dennery PA. Role of redox in fetal development and neonatal diseases. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 2004 Feb 1;6(1):147-53.
    29. Simkó M, Mattsson MO. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields as effectors of cellular responses in vitro: possible immune cell activation. Journal of cellular biochemistry. 2004;93(1):83-92.
    30. Agarwal A, Gupta S, Sekhon L, Shah R. Redox considerations in female reproductive function and assisted reproduction: from molecular mechanisms to health implications. Antioxidants & redox signaling. 2008;10(8):1375-404.
    31. Han J, Cao Z, Liu X, Zhang W, Zhang S. Effect of early pregnancy electromagnetic field exposure on embryo growth ceasing. Journal of hygiene research. 2010;39(3):349-52.
    32. Cao YN, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on reproduction of female mice and development of offsprings. Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases. 2006;24(8):468-70.
    33. Kidder GM, Vanderhyden BC. Bidirectional communication between oocytes and follicle cells: ensuring oocyte developmental competence. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. 2010;88(4):399-413.
    34. Cecconi S, Gualtieri G, Di Bartolomeo A, Troiani G, Cifone MG, Canipari R. Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on mammalian follicle development. Human Reproduction. 2000;15(11):2319-25.
    35. Bułdak RJ, Polaniak R, Bułdak Ł, Żwirska‐Korczala K, Skonieczna M, Monsiol A, et al. Short‐term exposure to 50 Hz ELF‐EMF alters the cisplatin‐induced oxidative response in AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 2012 Dec;33(8):641-51.
    36. Showell MG, Brown J, Clarke J, Hart RJ. Antioxidants for female subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013(8).
    37. Marracino P, Migliorati M, Paffi A, Liberti M, Denzi A, d'Inzeo G, et al. Signal transduction on enzymes: the Effect of electromagnetic field stimuli on superoxide dismutase (SOD). In2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. 2012 : 5674-7.
    38. Zwirska-Korczala K, Jochem J, Adamczyk-Sowa M, Sowa P, Polaniak R, Birkner E, et al. Effect of extremely low frequency of electromagnetic fields on cell proliferation, antioxidative enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes-an in vitro study. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2005;56:101-8.
    39. Kesari KK, Behari J. Microwave exposure affecting reproductive system in male rats. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. 2010;162(2):416-28.
    40. Aydin M, Cevik A, Kandemir FM, Yuksel M, Apaydin AM. Evaluation of hormonal change, biochemical parameters, and histopathological status of uterus in rats exposed to 50-Hz electromagnetic field. Toxicology and industrial health. 2009;25(3):153-8.
    41. Aksen F, Akdag MZ, Ketani A, Yokus B, Kaya A, Dasdag S. Effect of 50-Hz 1-mT magnetic field on the uterus and ovaries of rats (Electronmicroscopy evaluation). Medical science monitor. 2006;12(6): 215-20.
    42. Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. International journal of radiation biology. 2015;91(5):420-5.
    43. GHARADAGHI Y , Bahavarnia SR. Repairing effect of Allium Cepa on Testis degeneration caused by Toxoplasma gondii in the rat. 2014.
    44. Ige SF, Akhigbe RE, Adewale AA, Badmus JA, Olaleye SB, Ajao FO, et al. Effect of Allium cepa (Onion) Extract on cadmium induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Kidney Res J. 2011;1(1):41-7.
    45. Kumar A, Bora KS, Jaggi AS, Shri R. Comparative evaluation of neuroprotective effect of three varieties of Allium cepa in chronic constriction injury induced neuropathic pain. Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TJPS). 2016;40(1).