Effect of puerarin on matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human fetal scleral fibroblasts treated with low frequency electromagnetic fields

Puerarin, an isoflavone compound extracted from Gegen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae), modulates sclera remodeling caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protective effect of puerarin [an isoflavone compound extracted from Gegen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae)] in scleral remodeling induced by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs).

METHODS

Human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) were divided into 5 groups: (a) untreated controls; (b) cells treated with ELF-EMFs; (c) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 0.1 μM; (d) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 1 μM; (e) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 10 μM. Cell proliferation activity was measured by the cell-counting kit-8 assay. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity was measured by gelatin enzymography. MMP-2 and collagenⅠ(COL1A1) mRNA, protein expression were measured by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction , Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Puerarin reduced the inhibition in cell proliferation, MMP-2 activity, mRNA, protein expression of HFSFs exposed to ELF-EMFs and enhanced the COL1A1 mRNA and protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Puerarin was found to participate in the matrix remodeling process. It might be a potential agent for the treatment of extracellular matrix degradation of sclera associated with ocular conditions.

The effect of prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field on calcineurin and bone development in rats

PURPOSE

To investigated the effects of exposure to an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on bone development during the prenatal period in rats.

METHODS

Pregnant rats in the experimental group were exposed to radiation for six, 12, and 24 hours daily for 20 days. No radiation was given to the pregnant rats in the control group. We distributed the newborn rats into four groups according to prenatal EMF exposure as follows: Group 1 was not exposed to EMF; groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to EMF for six, 12, and 24 hours a day, respectively. The rats were evaluated at the end of the 60th day following birth.

RESULTS

Increasing the duration of EMF exposure during the prenatal period resulted in a significant reduction of resting cartilage levels and a significant increase in the number of apoptotic chondrocytes and myocytes. There was also a reduction in calcineurin activities in both bone and muscle tissues. We observed that the development of the femur, tibia, and ulna were negatively affected, especially with a daily EMF exposure of 24 hours.

CONCLUSION

Bone and muscle tissue development was negatively affected due to prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field.