Effects of dietary green tea polyphenol supplementation on the health of workers exposed to high-voltage power lines

Distinct fatty acid redistribution and textural changes in the brain tissue upon the static magnetic field exposure

We observed different outcomes upon the subacute exposure to the 128 mT highly homogeneous static magnetic field (SMF) when its orientation was (i) aligned with the vertical component of the geomagnetic field; (ii) in the opposite direction. We employed the fatty acids (FA) composition and digital image analyses (DIA) to provide insights into the underlying processes and examine the possible weak SMF effects. Swiss-Webster male mice were whole-body exposed for 1 h/day over five days. Brain tissue's thin liquid chromatography resulted in brain FA composition, indicating a possible sequence of changes due to the SMF exposure. Quantitative DIA accurately assessed different image parameters. Delicate textural changes were revealed in the group where pathohistological or biochemical alterations have not been detected. DIA-based biological markers seem to be very promising for studying delicate tissue changes, which results from the high sensitivity and wide availability of DIA.

Melatonin: a Potential Shield against Electromagnetic Waves

Melatonin, a vital hormone synthesized by the pineal gland, has been implicated in various physiological functions and in circadian rhythm regulation. Its role in the protection against the non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF), known to disrupt the body's oxidative/anti-oxidative balance, has been called into question due to inconsistent results observed across studies. This review provides the current state of knowledge on the interwoven relationship between melatonin, EMF, and oxidative stress. Based on synthesized evidence, we present a model that best describes the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of melatonin against RF/ELF-EMF induced oxidative stress. We show that the free radical scavenger activity of melatonin is enabled through reduction of the radical pair singlet-triplet conversion rate and the concentration of the triplet products. Moreover, this review aims to highlight the potential therapeutic benefits of melatonin against the detrimental effects of EMF, in general, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), in particular.

Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field as a Stress Factor-Really Detrimental?-Insight into Literature from the Last Decade

Biological effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and its consequences on human health have become the subject of important and recurrent public debate. ELF-MF evokes cell/organism responses that are characteristic to a general stress reaction, thus it can be regarded as a stress factor. Exposure to ELF-MF "turns on" different intracellular mechanisms into both directions: compensatory or deleterious ones. ELF-MF can provoke morphological and physiological changes in stress-related systems, mainly nervous, hormonal, and immunological ones. This review summarizes the ELF-MF-mediated changes at various levels of the organism organization. Special attention is placed on the review of literature from the last decade. Most studies on ELF-MF effects concentrate on its negative influence, e.g., impairment of behavior towards depressive and anxiety disorders; however, in the last decade there was an increase in the number of research studies showing stimulating impact of ELF-MF on neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation. In the face of numerous studies on the ELF-MF action, it is necessary to systematize the knowledge for a better understanding of the phenomenon, in order to reduce the risk associated with the exposure to this factor and to recognize the possibility of using it as a therapeutic agent.

The effect of vitamin E and C on comet assay indices and apoptosis in power plant workers: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields have been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and this has raised some concern about its health effects on employees extensively exposed to these fields at thermal power plants. In this study, the effect of using vitamin E and C supplements have been examined on employees working at a thermal power plant. In this randomized controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 81 employees from different parts of the thermal power plant were enrolled between July and November 2017, and divided into four groups: Group 1 received vitamin E (400 units/day), Group 2: vitamin C (1000 mg/day), Group 3: vitamin E + C and Group 4: no intervention. DNA damage was measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes using comet assay and apoptosis, using flow cytometry. Based on the results, tail intensity and tail length in the vitamin E group, and all comet assay indices in the vitamin E + C and vitamin C groups (except DNA damage index) significantly decreased after the intervention, while the comet assay indices did not change significantly in the control group. None of the flow cytometry indices including early apoptosis, late apoptosis and necrosis changed after intervention in either group. The use of antioxidant vitamins such as E and C, can increase the activity of the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system, and protect DNA from damage caused by exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. But, taking these vitamins has no effect on apoptosis. It seems that consumption of vitamin E affected all investigated comet assay indices and can be probably considered as the best intervention.

Suppression of DNA/RNA and protein oxidation by dietary supplement which contains plant extracts and vitamins: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background

Excessive oxidative stress may impair bio-molecules and cellular function. Multi antioxidant supplementation is thought to be more effective than a single antioxidant probably through the synergistic or complementary action of natural substances that could enhance the prospective effect.

Methods

In order to estimate the effect of a plant extract based supplement in apparently healthy volunteers’ oxidative stress markers, a double-blind and placebo controlled intervention was performed. 62 apparently healthy volunteers, overweight with medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet, were recruited and randomly allocated into two intervention groups (supplement or placebo) for 8 weeks. Basic biochemical markers, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), resistance of serum in oxidation, protein carbonyls in serum and 8-isoprostane and DNA/RNA damage in urine were measured.

Results

No differentiation was observed in basic biochemical markers, in oxLDL levels as well as in serum resistance against oxidation, during intervention in the examined groups. A significant resistance regarding urine isoprostanes levels in the supplement group compared to the placebo one, was observed. Reduction on DNA/RNA damage and on protein carbonyls levels (almost 30% and 20% respectively, at 8 weeks) was detected in volunteers who consumed the supplement compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Consumption of plant extract based supplement seems to reduce DNA/RNA and protein oxidation and in less extent lipids peroxidation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier for this study is: NCT02837107.

Characterization of the suppressive effects of extremely-low-frequency electric fields on a stress-induced increase in the plasma glucocorticoid level in mice

We recently suggested that an increase in the plasma glucocorticoid (GC) level in immobilized mice is suppressed by a 50-Hz electric field (EF) in an EF strength-dependent manner. The present study aimed to assess the anti-stress effect of EFs in three scenarios: exposure to an EF of either 50 or 60 Hz, which are the standard power frequencies in most regions; varying levels of environmental brightness during EF exposure; complete or partial shielding of the mouse from the EF. We compared the GC levels and blood parameters among control, EF-alone, immobilization-alone, and co-treatment groups. There was no difference between EFs of 50 and 60 Hz in terms of the suppression of the immobilization-induced increase in GC, that is, the anti-stress effect upon EF exposure. Examination of the effects of three environmental illuminance levels, 0, 200, and 490 lux, revealed that the effect of the EF was influenced by environmental illuminance. Shielding of the mice from the EF by wrapping the animals with an electrically conductive sheet inhibited the EF effect, which showed a negative correlation with the area shielded. Hence, environmental illuminance and the body area exposed to the EF might influence the effects of an EF on stress-induced increases in plasma GC levels in mice. Because stress plays an important role in the onset and progression of various diseases, these findings may have broad implications for understanding the efficacy of EFs in health. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:516-528, 2018 © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Strategies to decrease oxidative stress biomarker levels in human medical conditions: A meta-analysis on 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α

The widespread detection of elevated oxidative stress levels in many medical conditions has led to numerous efforts to design interventions to reduce its effects. Efforts have been wide-ranging, from dietary changes to administration of antioxidants, supplements, e.g., omega-3-fatty acids, and many medications. However, there is still no systemic assessment of the efficacy of treatments for oxidative stress reduction across a variety of medical conditions. The goal of this meta-analysis is, by combining multiple studies, to quantitate the change in the levels of the popular oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) after a variety of treatment strategies in human populations. Nearly 350 unique publications with 180 distinct strategies were included in the analysis. For each strategy, the difference between pre- or placebo and post-treatment levels calculated using Hedges' g value of effect. In general, administration of antibiotics, antihyperlipidemic agents, or changes in lifestyle (g = - 0.63, - 0.54, and 0.56) had the largest effect. Administration of supplements, antioxidants, or changes in diet (g = - 0.09, - 0.28, - 0.12) had small quantitative effects. To fully interpret the effectiveness of these treatments, comparisons to the increase in g value for each medical condition is required. For example, antioxidants in populations with coronary artery disease (CAD) reduce the 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = - 0.34 ± 0.1, which is quantitatively considered a small effect. However, CAD populations, in comparison to healthy populations, have an increase in 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = 0.38 ± 0.04; therefore, the overall reduction of 8-iso-PGF2α levels is ≈ 90% by this treatment in this specific medical condition. In conclusion, 8-iso-PGF2α levels can be reduced not only by antioxidants but by many other strategies. Not all strategies are equally effective at reducing 8-iso-PGF2α levels. In addition, the effectiveness of any strategy can be assessed only in relation to the medical condition investigated.

Configuration-dependent variability of the effect of an electric field on the plasma glucocorticoid level in immobilized mice

We recently reported that an immobilization stress-induced increase in glucocorticoid (GC) level was suppressed in mice exposed to an electric field (EF) of 50 Hz in a kV/m-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the reproducibility of the suppressive effect induced by EF exposure by varying the voltage and distance between the electrodes (0.5 kV/50 mm, 1 kV/100 mm, 2 kV/200 mm) and comparing the effects on the plasma GC level. In addition, the effect of mice being in contact with the lower electrode or not was compared at 1 kV/100 mm. Immobilization-induced GC levels were significantly decreased in mice exposed to an EF at 1 kV/100 mm for 60 min (P < 0.01), but not in mice exposed to 0.5 kV/50 mm or 2 kV/200 mm. Furthermore, the suppressive effect of the 1 kV/100 mm EF was canceled when a polypropylene sheet (0.1 mm thick) was placed between the animal and lower electrode. Our findings corroborated that an EF of 10 kV/m inhibits stress-induced changes in the endocrine system in mice and demonstrated that this effect depends on the configuration of the EF exposure system, even when the EF strength remains the same. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:265-271, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.