Effects of 50 Hz electric field on malondyaldehide and nitric oxide levels in spinal cord of rats at prenatal plus postnatal period

Abstract

Aim: The effect of 50 Hz electric field (EF) on developing neural tissues is not known. We aimed to determine whetherthere would be any oxidative stress effect of 50 Hz EF on developing spinal cord tissues of pup rats by evaluatingmalondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase (CAT) measurement.Materials and methods: In the prenatal+postnatal group, the pregnant rat was exposed to continuous EF at 50 Hz 10 kV/suntil delivery. Then the female pups of this group (n = 7) were exposed to EF at the same doses and for the same durationuntil puberty. In the postnatal group, the pregnant rat was unexposed to EF during pregnancy, but the female pups fromthis group (n = 7) began to be exposed to EF at delivery, and continued to be exposed to EF at 50 Hz EF 10 kV/m for 24h until puberty.Results: In the prenatal+postnatal group, the MDA and NO levels in the spinal cord tissue of pup rats were significantlyhigher when compared to the control group. However, in the postnatal group, the MDA and NO levels in the spinal cordtissue of pup rats were not significantly different when compared to the control group.Conclusion: A 50 Hz electric field may cause oxidative stress in the spinal cord of rats in the prenatal+postnatal period. © TUBİTAK.