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We investigated the effects of exposurein uteroto a 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymis. Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG; no treatment) and EMF (EMFG) groups. The EMFG was exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 1 h each day during days 13 − 21 of pregnancy. Newborn rats were either newborn CG (NCG) or newborn EMF groups (NEMFG). On postnatal day 60, a testis and epididymis were removed from each animal. Epididymal semen quality, and lipid and DNA oxidation levels, apoptotic index and histopathological damage to the testis were compared. We found a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels and lower sperm motility and vitality in the NEMFG compared to controls. Immature germ cells in the seminiferous tubule lumen, and altered seminiferous tubule epithelium and seminiferous tubule structure also were observed in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of NEMFG testis. Nuclear changes that indicated apoptosis were identified in TUNEL stained sections and large numbers of apoptotic cells were observed in most of the seminiferous tubule epithelium in the NEMFG. Sixty-day-old rat testes exposed to 900 MHz EMF exhibited altered sperm quality and biochemical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects on kidney tissue of 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF applied during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats were exposed to 900 MHz EMF, 1 h/day, on days 13-21 of pregnancy; no procedure was performed on control group pregnant rats or on mothers or newborns after birth. On postnatal day 21, kidney tissues of male rat pups from both groups were examined by light and electron microscopy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels also were investigated. Light microscopy revealed some degenerative changes in the tubule epithelium, small cystic formations in the primitive tubules and large cysts in the cortico-medullary or medullary regions in the experimental group. Electron microscopy revealed a loss of peritubular capillaries and atypical parietal layer epithelial cells in the experimental group. Biochemical analysis showed significantly increased MDA levels in the experimental group and decreased SOD and CAT levels. EMF applied during the prenatal period can caused pathological changes in kidney tissue in 21-day-old male rats owing to oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the isolation of compounds from the aerial parts of Morina persica L. and the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of various polarity extracts and isolated compounds were investigated. Column chromatography methods were used for isolation. A microdilution method was used to determine antimicrobial activity; Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine total phenolic content; DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging- capacity methods were used to determine antioxidant activity; and a mushroom tyrosinase method was used to determine antityrosinase activity. Kaempferol-3- O -β-glucopyranoside (astragalin) and quercetin-3- O -rutinoside (rutin) were isolated from M. persica . The extracts and compounds showed higher activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis than other tested bacteria. The highest phenolic content, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activity were detected in an ethyl acetate extract at 50 μg/mL concentration. The methanol extract showed the highest antityrosinase effect at 200 μg/mL concentration.

As the use of plastic-containing materials in our daily lives becomes increasingly common, exposure to nanoplastics accordingly becomes inevitable. Micro and nanoplastics released from large amounts of plastic waste constitute a serious environmental problem. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NP) on the hippocampus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty Wistar albino rats, 15 male and 15 female, aged 6-8 weeks, were used in the research. These were randomly divided into three groups of five males and five females each. A five-minute open field test was applied to all rats on the first and last days of the study. Three groups of rats (Control, NP1 and NP2) received the standard chow and water. Additionally, rats in the first neoplastic group (NP1) received 25 mg/kg PS-NP and rats in the second nanoplastic group (NP2) received 50 mg/kg PS-NP, at the same time each day by oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia at the end of four weeks. The hippocampi were removed and subjected to histopathological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Green fluorescent dots were detected in the hippocampi of both dose groups receiving nanoplastics (NPs) administered orally to female and male rats. Histopathological examination revealed neuronal degeneration in the hippocampi of male and female rats from both dose groups. However, while no significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of changes in antioxidant enzyme values and open-field test data in male rats, significant differences in peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) values and fecal boli and grooming numbers were determined in female rats exposed to NPs. In conclusion, exposure to NP substances extend as far as the hippocampus, causing neuronal damage and behavioral problems., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There is no conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence this work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Spermatogenesis, in which cell regeneration continues, can be affected by environmental, chemical, psychological factors or various diseases. There is conflicting information in the literature about the effect of isotretinoin, which is widely used in acne treatment, on testes and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we planned a rat study to evaluate the long-term efficacy of oral isotretinoin on testicular tissues and spermatogenesis., Materials and Methods: The Group 1 (n = 6) 7.5 mg/kg/day and the Group 2 (n = 6) received isotretinoin at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day dissolved in sunflower oil, the Sham Group (n = 6) received only sunflower oil by gavage, and the control group (n = 6) received standard feed and water for four weeks. After the 4th week, all animals were fed with standard feed and water and followed for the next four weeks. At the end of the 8th week, all animals were sacrificed under deep anesthesia. Seminiferous tubule diameters, epithelial thickness, apoptotic index, sperm number and motility recorded Results: Sperm count, motility, vitality, diameter of seminiferous tubule and germinal epithelium thickness were decreased and apoptotic index increased in the groups received isotretinoin. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of testosterone levels., Conclusions: We consider that further comprehensive studies, including human clinical trials, should be conducted to examine the negative effects of isotretinoin on spermatogenesis in the long term especially when there is a need using isotretinoin in men for various reasons and to eliminate the contradictions in the literature in this regard.

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and causes significant functional impairments in children. Behavioral genetic and molecular genetic studies have provided significant evidence in terms of highlighting the etiology of ADHD. Folate deficiency during pregnancy is an established risk factor for ADHD. Polymorphisms in the Methyltetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) encoding gene, such as A1298C and C667T, are associated with the decreased bioavailability of folate, and this condition can act like folate deficiency. In the literature, no study has investigated MTHFR polymorphisms in mothers of children with ADHD. Sixty-four children diagnosed with ADHD and their mothers as well as 40 healthy children and their mothers participated in this study. MTHFR polymorphisms were investigated in all participants. Comparison of the C677C and A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms in children with and without ADHD revealed no significant differences. We found that the maternal C677C_CT genotype counts, both observed and expected values, were significantly different from those based on Hardy-Weinberg Principle Analysis in the ADHD group. The most important result of this study was that maternal C677C MTHFR gene polymorphisms are significant risk factors in for ADHD, and we argue that children with ADHD are exposed to folate deficiency, even if their mothers received a sufficient amount of folate during pregnancy. This result also highlights one of the genetic factors of ADHD. Further studies should be performed to confirm this finding., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 60-day-old male rat testis following exposure to continuous 900-megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) throughout the adolescent period using histopathological and biochemical analysis methods. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly and equally (n = 8) divided into three groups. No procedure was performed on the control group rats. The sham group rats were held in an EMF-cage without exposure to EMF. The EMF group rats were exposed to continuous 900-MHz EMF for 1 h each day inside the EMF-cage during adolescence. On postnatal day 60 the testes were extracted and divided into right and left halves. The right half was used for histopathological evaluation and the left half for biochemical analyses. Our results show that changes may occur in morphology and oxidative stress biomarkers in the rat testis following exposure to continuous 900-MHz EMF throughout the adolescent period., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The effect of the electromagnetic field (EMF) established when cell phones are in use on human health, and particularly the head, has been the subject of major scientific research. Phones are usually carried near the lumbar region when not in use, and the kidneys will also inevitably be affected by such fields. We investigated the effects on the kidneys of female rats exposed to a continuous 900-megahertz (MHz) EMF for 1 h daily in mid-late adolescence. Control, sham, and EMF groups were established. The EMF was applied to the application group rats daily on postnatal days 35-59. A pseudo-megahertz effect was applied to sham group rats. All animals were euthanized on postnatal day 60. Right kidney tissues were subjected to routine procedures. Malondialdehyde, total antioxidant status, and total oxidant status (TOS) were investigated in left kidneys, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was also calculated from these. Histopathological analysis revealed no pathology in either the control or sham groups. However, findings including hemorrhage in glomerulus, vacuolization and irregularity in the proximal and distal tubular epithelium, diffuse glomerular degeneration and edema, occasional degeneration in Bowman capsules, hemorrhage in the medullary region, disturbed nucleus location and morphology, and tubular edema in the cortex were observed in the EMF groups. TOS and OSI values were lower in the EMF group (9.4316 ± 1.0211 and 0.8461 ± 0.0826, respectively) and the sham group (8.2171 ± 0.6437 and 0.7358 ± 0.0545, respectively) than in the control group (11.1522 ± 1.3389 and 1.0085 ± 0.1174, respectively) ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to a continuous 900-MHz EMF for 1 h daily during middle and late adolescence may cause various changes in the female rat kidney at postnatal day 60.

The central nervous system (CNS) begins developing in the intrauterine period, a process that continues until adulthood. Contact with chemical substances, drugs or environmental agents such as electromagnetic field (EMF) during adolescence therefore has the potential to disturb the development of the morphological architecture of components of the CNS (such as the hippocampus). The hippocampus is essential to such diverse functions as memory acquisition and integration and spatial maneuvering. EMF can result in severe damage to both the morphology of the hippocampus and its principal functions during adolescence. Although children and adolescents undergo greater exposure to EMF than adults, the information currently available regarding the effects of exposure to EMF during this period is as yet insufficient. This study investigated the 60-day-old male rat hippocampus following exposure to 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF throughout the adolescent period using stereological, histopathological and biochemical analysis techniques. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats aged 21days were assigned into control, sham and EMF groups on a random basis. No procedure was performed on the control group rats. The EMF group (EMFGr) was exposed to a 900-MHz EMF for 1h daily from beginning to end of adolescence. The sham group rats were held in the EMF cage but were not exposed to EMF. All rats were sacrificed at 60days of age. Their brains were extracted and halved. The left hemispheres were set aside for biochemical analyses and the right hemispheres were subjected to stereological and histopathological evaluation. Histopathological examination revealed increased numbers of pyknotic neurons with black or dark blue cytoplasm on EMFGr slides stained with cresyl violet. Stereological analyses revealed fewer pyramidal neurons in EMFGr than in the other two groups. Biochemical analyses showed an increase in malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, but a decrease in catalase levels in EMFGr. Our results indicate that oxidative stress-related morphological damage and pyramidal neuron loss may be observed in the rat hippocampus following exposure to 900-MHz EMF throughout the adolescent period., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Large numbers of people are unknowingly exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from wireless devices. Evidence exists for altered cerebellar development in association with prenatal exposure to EMF. However, insufficient information is still available regarding the effects of exposure to 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF during the prenatal period on subsequent postnatal cerebellar development. This study was planned to investigate the 32-day-old female rat pup cerebellum following exposure to 900MHz EMF during the prenatal period using stereological and histopathological evaluation methods. Pregnant rats were divided into control, sham and EMF groups. Pregnant EMF group (PEMFG) rats were exposed to 900MHz EMF for 1h inside an EMF cage during days 13-21 of pregnancy. Pregnant sham group (PSG) rats were also placed inside the EMF cage during days 13-21 of pregnancy for 1h, but were not exposed to any EMF. No procedure was performed on the pregnant control group (PCG) rats. Newborn control group (CG) rats were obtained from the PCG mothers, newborn sham group (SG) rats from the PSG and newborn EMF group (EMFG) rats from the PEMFG rats. The cerebellums of the newborn female rats were extracted on postnatal day 32. The number of Purkinje cells was estimated stereologically, and histopathological evaluations were also performed on cerebellar sections. Total Purkinje cell numbers calculated using stereological analysis were significantly lower in EMFG compared to CG (p<0.05) and SG (p<0.05). Additionally, some pathological changes such as pyknotic neurons with dark cytoplasm were observed in EMFG sections under light microscopy. In conclusion, our study results show that prenatal exposure to EMF affects the development of Purkinje cells in the female rat cerebellum and that the consequences of this pathological effect persist after the postnatal period., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effects on human health of electromagnetic field (EMF) have begun to be seriously questioned with the entry into daily life of devices establishing EMF, such as cell phones, wireless fidelity, and masts. Recent studies have reported that exposure to EMF, particularly during pregnancy, affects the developing embryo/fetus. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the effects of exposure to continuous 900-Megahertz (MHz) EMF applied in the prenatal period on ovarian follicle development and oocyte differentiation. Six pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into a non-exposed control group (CNGr) and a group (EMFGr) exposed to continuous 900-MHz EMF for 1 h daily, at the same time every day, on days 13-21 of pregnancy. New groups were established from pups obtained from both groups after birth. One group consisting of female pups from CNGr rats was adopted as newborn CNGr (New-CNGr, n = 6), and another group consisting of female pups from EMFGr rats was adopted as newborn EMFGr (New-EMFGr, n = 6). No procedure was performed on New-CNGr or New-EMFGr rats. All rat pups were sacrificed on the postnatal 34th day, and their ovarian tissues were removed. Follicle count, histological injury scoring and morphological assessment with apoptotic index criteria were performed with sections obtained following routine histological tissue preparation. Follicle count results revealed a statistically significant decrease in primordial and tertiary follicle numbers in New-EMFGr compared to New-CNGr (p < 0.05), while atretic follicle numbers and apoptotic index levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed severe follicle degeneration, vasocongestion, a low level of increased stromal fibrotic tissue and cytoplasmic vacuolization in granulosa cell in New-EMFGr. Prenatal exposure to continuous 900-MHz EMF for 1 h each day from days 13-21 led to a decrease in ovarian follicle reservoirs in female rat pups at the beginning of the prepubertal period.

The growing spread of mobile phone use is raising concerns about the effect on human health of the electromagnetic field (EMF) these devices emit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on rat pup heart tissue of prenatal exposure to a 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF. For this purpose, pregnant rats were divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental group rats were exposed to a 900 MHz EMF (1 h/d) on days 13-21 of pregnancy. Measurements were performed with rats inside the exposure box in order to determine the distribution of EMF intensity. Our measurements showed that pregnant experimental group rats were exposed to a mean electrical field intensity of 13.77 V/m inside the box (0.50 W/m(2)). This study continued with male rat pups obtained from both groups. Pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 21, and the heart tissues were extracted. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase values were significantly higher in the experimental group rats, while glutathione values were lower. Light microscopy revealed irregularities in heart muscle fibers and apoptotic changes in the experimental group. Electron microscopy revealed crista loss and swelling in the mitochondria, degeneration in myofibrils and structural impairments in Z bands. Our study results suggest that exposure to EMF in the prenatal period causes oxidative stress and histopathological changes in male rat pup heart tissue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) in the prenatal term on the 21-old-day rat testicle. Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG) and EMF (EMFG) groups. EMFG was exposed to 900-MHz EMF during days 13-21 of pregnancy. Newborn CG rats were obtained from the CG and newborn EMFG (NEMFG) rats from the EMFG. Testicles were extracted at postnatal day 21. Lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation levels, apoptotic index and histopathological damage scores were compared. NEMFG rats exhibited irregularities in seminiferous tubule basal membrane and epithelium, immature germ cells in the lumen, and a decreased diameter in seminiferous tubules and thickness of epithelium. Apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation were higher in NEMFG rats than in NCG. 21-day-old rat testicles exposed to 900-MHz EMF in the prenatal term may be adversely affected, and this effect persists after birth., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)