Investigation of the neuroprotective effect of crocin against electromagnetic field-induced cerebellar damage in male Balb/c mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Mobile devices are sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that cause increasing concern among scientists about human health, especially with the long-term use of mobile phones. With regard to this issue, the potential adverse health effects, particularly on brain function have raised public concern. There is considerable evidence that natural compounds have neuro-protective effects due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Growing evidence suggests that crocin as a natural bioactive compound can be considered a potential therapeutic agent against various neurologic disorders. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of crocin on the cerebellum after exposure to EMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Male Balb/c mice were divided into control group, EMF group (2100 MHZ), EMF +Crocin group (2100 MHZ+50 mg/kg), and crocin group (50 mg/kg). The animals in the EMF and EMF+Crocin groups were exposed continuously for 30 days to an EMF 120 min/day. After 30 days, cerebellar cortex was evaluated by histomorphometric and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The results showed that 30 days of exposure to EMF had no significant effect on Purkinje cell size. However, EMF reduced significantly the diameter of astrocytes and increased Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression compared to the controls (p<0.05). Our findings also indicated that crocin treatment could improve the diameter of astrocytes and normalize GFAP expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that 2100-MHz EMF caused adverse effects on the cerebellum through astrocyte damage and crocin could partially reverse the EMF-related adverse effects.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In male Balb/c mice, 30 days of 2100 MHz EMF exposure (120 min/day) did not significantly affect Purkinje cell size, but significantly reduced astrocyte diameter and increased GFAP expression versus controls (p<0.05). Crocin (50 mg/kg) in the EMF+crocin group improved astrocyte diameter and normalized GFAP expression (p<0.05).

Outcomes measured

• Purkinje cell size
• Astrocyte diameter
• GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) expression
• Cerebellar cortex histomorphometry
• Cerebellar cortex immunohistochemistry

Limitations

• No SAR or field strength/dosimetry details reported in the abstract
• Small sample size (n=24 total across four groups)
• Outcomes limited to histomorphometric/immunohistochemical markers in cerebellar cortex; functional/behavioral outcomes not described
• Exposure description includes potentially ambiguous wording (“exposed continuously” vs 120 min/day)

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.85)
  Study frames exposure as EMF from mobile devices and uses 2100 MHz RF exposure.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone/mobile devices (simulated EMF exposure)",
        "frequency_mhz": 2100,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "120 min/day for 30 days (continuous exposure reported)"
    },
    "population": "Male Balb/c mice",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Purkinje cell size",
        "Astrocyte diameter",
        "GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) expression",
        "Cerebellar cortex histomorphometry",
        "Cerebellar cortex immunohistochemistry"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In male Balb/c mice, 30 days of 2100 MHz EMF exposure (120 min/day) did not significantly affect Purkinje cell size, but significantly reduced astrocyte diameter and increased GFAP expression versus controls (p<0.05). Crocin (50 mg/kg) in the EMF+crocin group improved astrocyte diameter and normalized GFAP expression (p<0.05).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No SAR or field strength/dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
        "Small sample size (n=24 total across four groups)",
        "Outcomes limited to histomorphometric/immunohistochemical markers in cerebellar cortex; functional/behavioral outcomes not described",
        "Exposure description includes potentially ambiguous wording (“exposed continuously” vs 120 min/day)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2100 MHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "cerebellum",
        "astrocytes",
        "GFAP",
        "Purkinje cells",
        "crocin",
        "neuroprotection",
        "Balb/c mice",
        "histomorphometry",
        "immunohistochemistry"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.84999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study frames exposure as EMF from mobile devices and uses 2100 MHz RF exposure."
        }
    ]
}

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