Melatonin protects rat cerebellar granule cells against electromagnetic field-induced increases in Na+ currents through intracellular Ca2+ release.
Liu DD, Ren Z, Yang G, Zhao QR, Mei YA. · 2014
View Original AbstractMelatonin protected brain cells from EMF-induced electrical disruption, suggesting natural hormones may help counteract electromagnetic field effects.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rat brain cells to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (like those from power lines) and found the EMF exposure significantly increased electrical activity in neurons by 62.5%. However, when they treated the cells with melatonin, it protected against these EMF-induced changes. This suggests melatonin might help shield brain cells from electromagnetic field effects.
Why This Matters
This research adds to growing evidence that EMF exposure can alter brain cell function at the most fundamental level. The 62.5% increase in sodium channel activity represents a substantial change in how neurons communicate, which could have implications for cognitive function and neurological health. What makes this study particularly significant is the protective effect of melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by your pineal gland. The science demonstrates that melatonin can counteract EMF-induced cellular changes through specific calcium-mediated pathways. While this was laboratory research on isolated brain cells, it provides important mechanistic insights into how EMF exposure might affect neurological function and suggests potential protective strategies. The reality is that we're all exposed to ELF-EMF from power lines, electrical wiring, and household appliances daily, making this protective mechanism worth understanding.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
we investigated the effects of MT on extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field (ELF‐EMF)‐induced Nav activity in rat cerebellar granule cells (GCs).
Exposing cerebellar GCs to ELF‐EMF for 60 min. significantly increased the Nav current (INa) densiti...
Our data show for the first time that MT protects against neuronal INa that result from ELF-EMF exposure through Ca2+ influx-induced Ca2+ release.
Show BibTeX
@article{dd_2014_melatonin_protects_rat_cerebellar_1562,
author = {Liu DD and Ren Z and Yang G and Zhao QR and Mei YA. },
title = {Melatonin protects rat cerebellar granule cells against electromagnetic field-induced increases in Na+ currents through intracellular Ca2+ release.},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1111/jcmm.12250},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcmm.12250},
}