Protecting Effect of Vitamin E against Chromosomal Damage Induced by an Extremely Low-frequency Electromagnetic Field in Murine Bone Marrow Erythrocytes

Abstract

Living organisms including human are exposed to an electromagnetic field from natural and industrial sources. Genotoxic effects of electromagnetic fields have been reported by several studies. Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and function of cell membranes, nervous system, and reproductive system, among others, by functioning as a defence against oxidative damage. In this research, the protective effects of vitamin E against the chromosomal damage induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELEM) on bone marrow erythrocytes of adult male BALB/c mouse have been studied. Adult male BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with vitamin E, with the dose of 200 mg/kg for 8 days and then exposed to ELEM with the intensity of 50Hz for 4 hours for 4 consecutive days. The mice were dissected and micronucleus assay was performed on the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) of their bone marrow. Results show that ELEM could increase the chromosomal damage judged by the higher frequency of MN compared to control. Results also revealed that the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) had substantially decreased (p<0.00 1) in vitamin E- treated mice compared to untreated. Data suggest the protecting effect of vitamin E in bone marrow cells of Balb/C mice against the ELEM.