Effect of exposure to electromagnetic field on some aspects of hepatic function in rats

Exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMF] may pose health risks and cell damage in various tissues, among the most susceptible tissues to EMF exposure being the liver. It was, thus, intriguing to investigate the possible effect of whole body exposure to EMF of mobile phones on some parameters reflecting the liver function. This study was performed on 111 albino rats of both sexes. Rats were divided into 2 main groups: 4 weeks exposure group [group I] and 8 weeks exposure group [group II]. Rats in each group were further subdivided into 4 subgroups, namely; rats not exposed to EMF of mobile phone [control groups, Ic and IIc], rats exposed to EMF of mobile phone for 1 hour/day [groups I[1] and II[1]], for 2 hours/day [groups I[2] and II[2]] and for 3 hours/day [groups I[3] and II[3]]. Exposure to EMF did not result in any significant change in plasma activities of both alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] in all exposed rats compared with their matched control. However, there was significant prolongation of both prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [PTT] accompained by significant elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde [MDA] content and reduction of nitric oxide [NO] content in hepatic tissue, the changes being more marked with increase in the duration of exposure. Microscopic examination of the liver tissue showed hepatocytic vacuolizations, irregular diameters of sinusoidal lumens, inflammatory cellular infiltrations and reduced glycogen content, the changes becoming intense with prolongation of the EMF exposure period. Exposure to EMF of mobile phones poses a risk factor for liver dysfunction, and, therefore, long term or excessive use of mobile phones better be avoided

Effect of selenium supplementation on age-related changes in body defense function

In the present work, agerelated changes in some body defense functions, namely total and differential leucocytic counts, and neutrophil phagocytic activity as well as the serum TNF-a level, plasma nitrate concentration [which reflects NO level] and plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] level, were studied. The effect of selenium supplementation in modulating these changes was also investigated, seeking for a beneficial tool that can help in maintenance of the well-being of aged individuals. The study comprised 62 albino rats that were allocated into 2 main groups: Group I, consisting of control rats, that were further subdivided according to their ages into three subgroups: adult, old and senescent groups; and Group II, consisting of selenium-treated rats that were, also, subdivided into three subgroups matching tile control subgroups. Selenium- treated rats received daily i.p. injection of sodium selenite, 20 micro g/kg b.w., 6 days/week for 4 weeks. Results encountered revealed significant decrease in the lytic index of neutrophils with insignificant decrease in the phagocytic index, accompanied by significant elevation in serum TNF-a level and plasma MDA level, and significant decrease in plasma nitrate concentration in both the old anti senescent rats. The total and differential leucocytic counts were insignificantly different in all age groups. Selenium administration resulted in significant increase in the phagocytic and lytic activities of neutrophils in the old and senescent groups, together with significant decrease in both serum TNF-a and plasma MDA levels. Plasma nitrate concentration was significantly elevated in the adult, old and senescent groups following selenium supplementation. It was, thus, concluded that aging is associated with reduced phagocytic activity of neutrophils and a proinflammatory state, together with enhanced pro-oxidant activity. Selenium, through its action as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, as well as its role in promoting nitric oxide release, ameliorated these age-related changes