title: Effect of Electromagnetic Pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and a preliminary study of mechanism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and test a preliminary mechanism for these effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tapered parallel plate gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell with a flared rectangular coaxial transmission line was used to expose male BALB/c mice to EMP (peak-intensity 400 kV/m, rise-time 10 ns, pulse-width 350 ns, 0.5 Hz and total 200 pulses). Concurrent sham-exposed mice were used as a control. Associative learning, oxidative stress in the brain, serum chemistry and the protective action of tocopherol monoglucoside (TMG) in mice were measured, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) Twelve hour and 1 day post EMP exposure associative learning was reduced significantly compared with sham control (p<0.05) but recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (2) Compared with the sham control, lipid peroxidation of brain tissue and chemiluminescence (CL) intensity increased significantly (p<0.05), while the activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase [SOD], Glutathione [GSH], Glutathione Peroxidase [GSH-Px], Catalase [CAT]) decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 1 d post EMP exposure. All these parameters recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (3) No significant differences between the sham control group and EMP exposed group were observed in serum cholesterol and triglycerides. (4) Pretreatment of mice with TMG showed protective effects to EMP exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMP exposure significantly decreased associative learning in mice and TMG acted as an effective protective agent from EMP exposure. This mechanism could involve an increase of oxidative stress in brain by EMP exposure.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Military Medical University, Department of Radiation Medicine, Xi'an, PR China.
authors.forename: Yong Bin
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun Ye
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Yu Rong
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dongqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: G Z
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000528:radiation effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005960:Glucosides / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D005960:Glucosides; C460320:tocopherol monoglucoside; D024505:Tocopherols