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 rat brain cells from electromagnetic field damage that increased abnormal electrical activity by 62.5%.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rat brain cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for one hour and found that this exposure increased sodium channel activity in the cells by 62.5%. However, when the hormone melatonin was present, it prevented this electromagnetic field-induced change in brain cell function. This suggests melatonin may offer some protection against certain neurological effects of EMF exposure.
Why This Matters
This research adds to growing evidence that electromagnetic field exposure can directly alter brain cell function at the molecular level. The 62.5% increase in sodium channel activity represents a significant change in how brain cells communicate and process electrical signals. What makes this study particularly relevant is that it identifies a potential protective mechanism through melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by our bodies. While this was conducted on isolated rat brain cells rather than living organisms, the findings align with other research showing EMF effects on neuronal activity. The practical implication is that maintaining healthy melatonin levels, whether through good sleep habits or other natural means, might help protect against some neurological effects of EMF exposure. However, the study doesn't specify exposure levels, making it difficult to compare with everyday EMF sources.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 60 min
Study Details
Here, 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_1596,
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},
}