title: Omega-3 prevents myelin degeneration in rat foetuses exposed to radiation.
abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of antioxidant omega-3 fatty acid (FA) on demyelinisation and degeneration of nerves in central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) of rat foetuses. 38 pregnant rats weighing 140-155 g were used. Rats were divided into five groups. Group 1: 7 rats exposed to radiation treatment (RT) for 1 hour/day only; Group 2: 7 rats exposed to RT + Omega-3 FA (p.o.) for 1 hour/day; Group 3: 7 rats exposed to RT for 4 hours/day; Group 4: 7 rats exposed to RT + Omega-3 FA (p.o.) for 4 hours/day; and Group 5: 10 rats with no treatment. Nerve injury was induced by whole-body exposure to 20-μT magnetic field. Omega-3 FA was given orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg. After 18 days, foetuses were delivered by the milking method; CNS and PNS were taken out for pathological examination. The degeneration scores of Group 2 were significantly lower than those of Group 1, whereas the degeneration scores of Group 4 were significantly higher than those of Groups 1 and 3. In conclusion, radiation increases demyelinisation and degeneration of nerves in the rat foetuses' CNS and PNS. Omega-3 FA prevents myelin and nerve degeneration in rat foetuses in low-dose radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ankara Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Erkayıran
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Bulent Ecevit University , Zonguldak , Turkey.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isık
authors.affiliation: c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Dumlupinar University , Kutahya , Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seven
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ankara Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Batıoglu
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biochemistry , Ankara Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kayaalp
authors.affiliation: e Department of Pathology , Ankara Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caydere
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ankara Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ergun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents
keywords: Omega-3; magnetic field exposure; pregnant rat