Abstract:

In this study, we aimed at exploring the effects of long-term exposure to the electrical field (EA) on lymphocytes DNA damage and brain tissue. We thought that astaksantin, a natural caretonoid pigment, could reduce the harmful effects of EA. In the study, 30 Wistar Albino (3-4 months) female rats were used. The rats were divided into randomly three groups, including 10 animals in each group; Group I (Control), Group II (EA applied group - 10 kV/m EA, 30 days, 23 hours a day), Group III (EA+AST treatment group - 10 kV/m EA, 30 days, 23 hours a day + 100 mg/kg/day AST, 30 days, cage). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Blood and brain tissue were gathered for biochemical analysis. With the comet assay method in the blood tissue, the analysis of lymphocytes DNA damage, brain tissue malondialdehitis (MDA) levels, superoxid dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were studied. In the EA applied group, the MDA and comet scores were found high according to the control group. In the applied group of AST, MDA and comet scores decreased according to the EA group, while the activity of the SOD and CAT enzymes increased. The results of the study showed that EA caused lymphocytes DNA damage in the blood tissue and oxidative stress in the brain tissue. It has also shown that AST treatment reduces lymphocytes DNA damage and oxidative stress.

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