Lipoic acid inhibits cognitive impairment induced by multiple cell phones in young male rats: role of Sirt1 and Atg7 pathway

Authors: El-Kafoury BMA., Abdel-Hady EA, El Bakly W. et al.

Year: 2023

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: Sci Rep

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44134-2

URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-44134-2

Abstract

Overview

The rapid increase in cell phone usage has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. This study evaluates the cognitive effects of EMF exposure in young male rats and explores the protective role of lipoic acid.

Methodology

  • Participants: 40 young male Wistar rats divided into three groups: control, EMF-exposed, and lipoic acid-treated.
  • Procedure: Exposure to EMF from multiple cell phones, with cognitive assessment via the Morris water maze. Serum and hippocampal tissues were collected for further analysis.

Findings

  • EMF exposure was linked to shorter latency times and reduced memory consolidation.
  • Increased levels of hippocampal Ach, glutamate, MDA, and upregulated expression of Sirt1 and Atg7 genes in exposed rats.
  • Lipoic acid treatment showed improvement in learning and memory by modulating biochemical markers and gene expression.

Conclusion

EMF exposure from cell phones could potentially enhance certain cognitive functions but impairs long-term memory consolidation. Lipoic acid emerged as a beneficial agent improving memory and learning abilities in EMF exposed rats, underscored by biochemical and genetic changes.

EMF cognitive impairment lipoic acid cell phones rats neuroscience autophagy
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