Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats.

Use of wireless communicating devices is increasing at an exponential rate in present time and is raising serious concerns about possible adverse effects of microwave (MW) radiation emitted from these devices on human health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 900 MHz MW radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in blood of Fischer rats. Animals were divided into two groups (6 animals/group): Group I (MW-exposed) and Group II (Sham-exposed). Animals were subjected to MW exposure (Frequency 900 MHz; specific absorption rate 8.4738 × 10-5 W/kg) in Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell (GTEM) for 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week). Subsequently, cognitive function and oxidative stress parameters were examined for each group. Results showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increase in oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase in levels of MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl (a marker of protein oxidation) and unaltered GSH content in blood. Thus, the study demonstrated that low level MW radiation had significant effect on cognitive function and was also capable of leading to oxidative stress.

Evaluation of the analgesic effect of neurosteroids and their possible mechanism of action.

The present study investigates the effect of progesterone (P), a pregnane precursor of neurosteroids and 4-chlordiazepam (4-CD), a high affinity ligand for mitochondrial diazepam binding inhibitor receptor (MDR) that stimulates neurosteroid synthesis, in both acute, (tail flick latency test, TFL) and chronic, (formalin-induced pain response, FT), models. Both P and 4-CD showed an analgesic response in these models. The effect of P and 4-CD was antagonized by bicuculline on TEL but not in FT. However, naloxone attenuated the antinociceptive response of P and 4-CD in TFL as well as FT. Further, P and 4-CD pretreatment potentiated the analgesic effect of morphine and nimodipine in both the models of pain sensitivity. Thus, neurosteroids produce an antinociceptive effect which may be mediated by modulation of GABAergic and/or opiodergic mechanisms as well as voltage gated calcium channels.