Effect of moderate intensity pulsed electric field on shelf-life of chicken breast meat.

1. Moderate intensity pulsed electric field (MIPEF) is a fairly new research topic for microbial inactivation on muscle foods. In this study, indirect application of MIPEF (2.5 kV/cm, 4.67 kV/cm, 7 kV/cm) was evaluated in terms of the growth of some pathogenic bacteria and the quality characteristics of chicken breast meat during cold storage (4°C).2. This study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, pure cultures of S. enteritidis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. coli and C. jejuni were inoculated in broth and stored in a refrigerator at 4°C under MIPEF. Both E. coli and C. jejuni showed a remarkable resistance to MIPEF under 4.67 kV/cm and 7 kV/cm, respectively.3. In the second stage, MIPEF was applied to packaged chicken breast samples. The limit for total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) count was exceeded in 4.67 and 7 kV/cm applied groups 2 d later than seen in the control group (C). Almost 2 log differences were determined for total coliform bacteria in 4.67 and 7 kV/cm applied groups as compared to C (P < 0.05). Inoculated P. aeruginosa count remained the same, whereas L. monocytogenes growth was promoted by 4.67 kV/cm (P < 0.05).4. pH value, CIE L*, b*, C* colour values of chicken breast fillets were not affected by MIPEF application while ΔE values showed the maximum change in the C group.5. This study demonstrated that improved shelf-life of chicken breast fillets was provided by moderate intensity DC-pulses in combination with cold storage.

The impact of electric fields on testis physiopathology, sperm parameters and DNA integrity-The role of resveratrol.

This study investigated the long-term effects of electric fields (EF) which might cause physiopathological or morphological changes in the testis tissues of rats. We assumed that using resveratrol (RES) might reduce harmful effects of the EF. Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups with eight animals in each; control, EF, EF + RES and RES. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and histopathological parameters were evaluated in testis tissue. Epididymal sperm count, motility and DNA damage were studied. Total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, estradiol and growth hormone levels were evaluated in the plasma samples. EF caused statistically significant increase in MDA levels, body weight and DNA damage. A significant decrease was detected in sperm count and motility. The histopathological examination of the testes showed the germ cell decrease in the seminiferous epithelium with oedema and vascular congestion in the interstitial tissue. In immunohistochemical examination, the increase in the apoptotic cells number was detected. RES partially ameliorated biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in the EF + RES group. These findings clearly demonstrated that EF can cause damage in rat testis. RES can ameliorate the damage caused by EF.

The physiopathological effects of quercetin on oxidative stress in radiation of 4.5 g mobile phone exposed liver tissue of rat.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to evaluate the physiopathological consideration of the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) from the radiation of 4.5 G mobile phones on the liver tissue of rats and quercetin (Qu) applied as an antioxidant for reducing these effects. METHODS: Male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups with 8 rats in each group. Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (sham group), Group 3 (EMF group) and Group 4 (EMF + Qu). From the animals sacrificed at the end of the 30th day; liver tissues were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. RESULTS: In the liver tissue of the electromagnetic field group; dilatation of sinusitis was determined to be higher than in the sham group. It was concluded that the concentration of caspase-3 and TNF-α immunopositive cells was in the EMF group (+3) level and also the immunostaining was stronger, it caused an increase in malondialdehyde level, the difference between the groups was statistically significant, in terms of superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: It was determined that 2600 MHz EMF exposure caused damage to the liver, 100 mg/kg/day quercetin was not sufficient to prevent this damage (Tab. 5, Fig. 15, Ref. 27).

The effects of electromagnetic radiation (2450 MHz wireless devices) on the heart and blood tissue: role of melatonin.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of 2450 MHz EMR on the heart and blood in rat and possible ameliorating effects of melatonin. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-two female Wistar Albino rats were randomly grouped (by eight in each group) as follows:  Group I: cage-control group (dimethysulfoxide (DMSO), 10mg/kg/day i.p. without stress and EMR. Group II: sham-control rats stayed in restrainer without EMR and DMSO (10mg/kg/day i.p.). Group III: rats exposed to 2450 MHz EMR. Group IV: treated group rats exposed to 2450 MHz EMR+melatonin (MLT) (10mg/kg/day i.p.). RESULTS: In the blood tissue, there was no significant difference between the groups in respect of erythrocytes GSH, GSH-Px activity, plasma LP level and vitamin A concentration (p > 0.05). However, in the Group IV, erythrocytes' LP levels (p < 0.05) were observed to be significantly decreased while plasma vitamin C, and vitamin E concentrations (p < 0.05) were found to be increased when compared to Group III. In the heart tissues, MDA and NO levels significantly increased in group III compared with groups I and II (p < 0.05). Contrary to these oxidant levels, CAT and SOD enzyme activities decreased significantly in group III compared with groups I and II (p 0.05). Besides, MLT treatment lowered the MDA and NO levels compared with group III. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, these results demonstrated that contrary to its effect on the heart, the wireless (2450 MHz) devices cause slight oxidative-antioxidative changes in the blood of rats, and a moderate melatonin supplementation may play an important role in the antioxidant system (plasma vitamin C and vitamin E). However, further investigations are required to clarify the mechanism of action of the applied 2450 MHz EMR exposure (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 49).

Impact of L-carnitine and Selenium Treatment on Testicular Apoptosis in Rats Exposed to 2.45 GHz Microwave Energy.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) by wireless devices (2.45 GHz) induces testicular apoptosis. We investigated if supplemental selenium (Se) and L-carnitine may reduce this adverse effect. MATERIAL: Twelve-week old male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Twenty-four rats were equally divided into four groups which were named as: sham group, EMR-only, EMR+L-carnitine (1.5 mg L-carnitine/kg/day) and EMR+Se (1.5 mg Se/kg/-every other day). RESULTS: The level of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and -8 were compared and a significant difference was found between the sham and EMR-only groups (p < 0.05), and Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and -8 expressions increased in the EMR-only group. The level of Bcl-2, Bax, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), caspase-3 and -8 were compared and a significant difference was found between the sham and EMR+L-carnitine groups (p < 0.05) and Bcl-2, Bax, TNF-α, caspase-3 and -8 expressions increased in the EMR+L-carnitine group. The level of Bcl-2, Bax, TNF-α, caspase-3 and -8 were compared and a significant difference was found between the sham and EMR+Se groups (p < 0.05) and Bcl-2, Bax, TNF-α, caspase-3 and -8 expressions increased in the EMR+Se group. When the expression of caspase-8 was compared, a significant difference was found between the EMR-only and EMR+Se groups (p < 0.05). Caspase-8 expression decreased in EMR+Se group compared with EMR-only group. CONCLUSION: Electromagnetic radiation exposure resulted in testicular apoptosis in rats, mainly by the intrinsic pathways by down-regulated expression of caspase-8. Reduction in the activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis was found higher with selenium administration compared with L-carnitine administration.