PMID: 

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2019 Aug 1. Epub 2019 Aug 1. PMID: 31369713

Abstract Title: 

Lycopene improves methotrexate-induced functional alterations of the Madin-Darby kidney cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Abstract: 

Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among carotenoids due to its ability to quench singlet oxygen and react with free radicals to reduce DNA damage. Methotrexate is widely used in the treatment of several types of cancers and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common side effects of high-dose of methotrexate is kidney injury. In this study we evaluated effects of lycopene on the Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK)treated with methotrexate through the estimation of their mitochondrial and lysosomal functions (MTT reduction assay and NR uptake assay) and changes in cell oxidative status (determination of advanced oxidized proteins concentrations and reduced glutathione levels) and lysosomal enzymes activity (β-N acetyl glucosaminidase activity).Results of our study showed that lycopene applied in high concentration caused significant impairment of the MDCK function leading to cell death. Contrary, in relatively low concentrations lycopene moderately ameliorated methotrexate-induced MDCK cells' death estimated by both biochemical and microscopic analyses. It also prevented a significant decline in the MDCK cells' lysosomal function estimated by neutral red accumulation ability and activity of lysosomal enzyme β-N acetyl glucosaminidase.

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PMID: 

Fertil Steril. 2008 Jan ;89(1):124-8. Epub 2007 May 4. PMID: 17482179

Abstract Title: 

Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational study.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cell phone use on various markers of semen quality.DESIGN: Observational study.SETTING: Infertility clinic.PATIENT(S): Three hundred sixty-one men undergoing infertility evaluation were divided into four groups according to their active cell phone use: group A: no use; group B:4 h/day.INTERVENTION(S): None.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm parameters (volume, liquefaction time, pH, viscosity, sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology).RESULT(S): The comparisons of mean sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology among four different cell phone user groups were statistically significant. Mean sperm motility, viability, and normal morphology were significantly different in cell phone user groups within two sperm count groups. The laboratory values of the above four sperm parameters decreased in all four cell phone user groups as the duration of daily exposure to cell phones increased.CONCLUSION(S): Use of cell phones decrease the semen quality in men by decreasing the sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology. The decrease in sperm parameters was dependent on the duration of daily exposure to cell phones and independent of the initial semen quality.

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PMID: 

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019 ;13:2331-2342. Epub 2019 Jul 11. PMID: 31371925

Abstract Title: 

Lycopene protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening.

Abstract: 

Background: Mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) is an important therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Lycopene (LP) is a potent antioxidant extracted from the mature fruits of plants and has been reported to protect against MIRI; however, its mechanism of action has yet to be completely elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of MPTP in the cardioprotection of LP.Methods: H9c2 cells were pretreated with LP for 12 hrs and were subjected to 12-hr hypoxia/1-hr re-oxygenation, and cell viability was measured by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Male rats were subsequently intraperitoneally injected with LP for 5 consecutive days. At 24 hrs following the final injection, the rat hearts were isolated and subjected to 30-min ischemia/120-min reperfusion using Langendorff apparatus. The myocardial infarct size was measured by a TTC stain. Opening of the MPTP was induced by CaCland measured by colorimetry. The change in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and a TUNEL stain, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blotting.Results: LP pretreatment significantly increased cell viability, reduced myocardial infarct size and decreased the apoptosis rate. In addition, opening and the decrease ofΔΨm were attenuated by LP and the expressions of cytochrome, APAF-1, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were also decreased by LP. However, these beneficial effects on MIRI were abrogated by the MPTP opener (atractyloside). Furthermore, LP treatment markedly increased Bcl-2 expression, decreased Bax expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that LP protects against MIRI by inhibiting MPTP opening, partly through the modulation of Bax and Bcl-2.

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PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2009 Dec ;30(8):678-86. PMID: 19644978

Abstract Title: 

Mobile telephone use is associated with changes in cognitive function in young adolescents.

Abstract: 

As part of the Mobile Radiofrequency Phone Exposed Users' Study (MoRPhEUS), a cross-sectional epidemiological study examined cognitive function in secondary school students. We recruited 317, 7th grade students (144 boys, 173 girls, median age 13 years) from 20 schools around Melbourne, Australia. Participants completed an exposure questionnaire based on the Interphone study, a computerised cognitive test battery, and the Stroop colour-word test. The principal exposure metric was the total number of reported mobile phone voice calls per week. Linear regression models were fitted to cognitive test response times and accuracies. Age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and handedness were fitted as covariates and standard errors were adjusted for clustering by school. The accuracy of working memory was poorer, reaction time for a simple learning task shorter, associative learning response time shorter and accuracy poorer in children reporting more mobile phone voice calls. There were no significant relationships between exposure and signal detection, movement monitoring or estimation. The completion time for Stroop word naming tasks was longer for those reporting more mobile phone voice calls. The findings were similar for total short message service (SMS, also known as text) messages per week, suggesting these cognitive changes were unlikely due to radiofrequency (RF) exposure. Overall, mobile phone use was associated with faster and less accurate responding to higher level cognitive tasks. These behaviours may have been learned through frequent use of a mobile phone.

PMID: 

Arch Physiol Biochem. 2019 Aug 5:1-8. Epub 2019 Aug 5. PMID: 31378089

Abstract Title: 

The effect of lycopene on hepatotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in rats.

Abstract: 

Oxidative damage caused by aflatoxin (AF) in rat liver tissue and the inhibition effect of lycopene against this injury was investigated. Groups were formed as; control group (not treated), lycopene group (5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 15 days), AFB1 group (0.5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 7 days) and AFB1 + lycopene group. Lycopene administered simultaneously with AFB1. It was observed significant increase in malondialdehyde level, decrease in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in liver tissue of AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined to significantly increase in plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities in AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined significant decrease in malondialdehyde level,plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and increase in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in AFB1 + lycopene group when compared with AFB1 group. This study suggests that lycopene which has antioxidant properties can be prevented fromAFB1 induced hepatotoxicity.

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PMID: 

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2015 Dec ;127(23-24):959-62. Epub 2015 Apr 25. PMID: 25910613

Abstract Title: 

Effect of long-term pulsed electromagnetic field exposure on hepatic and immunologic functions of rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: In this report, the effects of long-term pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure on hepatic and immunologic functions were examined.METHODS: Male rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three experimental groups exposed to a 50-Hz PEMF at 5, 10, or 20 mT for 10 weeks.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and concentrations of serum, liver, and spleen Metabolism of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the 10- and 20-mT PEMF groups were significantly increased. The activities of Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the serum, liver, and spleen and concentrations of serum immunoglobulins were significantly decreased.CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that long-term exposure to PEMF can lead to oxidative damage of the liver and spleen.

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PMID: 

Electromagn Biol Med. 2014 Jun ;33(2):139-46. Epub 2013 Jun 19. PMID: 23781997

Abstract Title: 

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat.

Abstract: 

Male infertility is often related to reproductive age couples experiencing fertility-related issues. Men may have fertility problems associated with reversible testicular damage. Considering that men have been increasingly exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields generated by the production, distribution and use of electricity, this study analyzed whether 60 Hz and 1 mT magnetic field exposure may impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat shock using rats as an experimental model. Adult male rats were subjected to a single testicular heat shock (HS, 43 °C for 12 min) and then exposed to the magnetic field for 15, 30 and 60 d after HS. Magnetic field exposure during the spermatogenesis recovery induced changes in testis components volume, cell ultrastructure and histomorphometrical parameters. Control animals had a reestablished and active spermatogenesis at 60 d after heat shock, while animalsexposed to magnetic field still showed extensive testicular degeneration. Magnetic field exposure did not change the plasma testosterone. In conclusion, extremely low-frequency magnetic field may be harmful to fertility recovery in males affected by reversible testicular damage.

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PMID: 

J Hypertens. 2019 Jul 26. Epub 2019 Jul 26. PMID: 31356404

Abstract Title: 

Association between dietary carotenoid intakes and hypertension in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2014.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Few epidemiological studies concentrated on dietary carotenoids and hypertension since new hypertension guideline released in 2017. Thus, this study was aimed to evaluate their association.METHODS: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014 were used in this cross-sectional study. Dietary carotenoids data were obtained from 24-h dietary recall interviews. Hypertension was defined as SBP at least 130 mmHg or DBP at least 80 mmHg, taking antihypertensive medicine or self-report. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were applied to explore the associations between α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids fromdiet and supplements and hypertension. Total carotenoids showed significant reductive risk of hypertension at 100 μg/kg per day and over.RESULTS: A total of 17 398 adults aged 20 years and over were identified. High dose of β-carotene, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids were significantly associated with decreased risk of hypertension in crude results. After multivariate-adjustment in model 2, the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoids for hypertension were 0.79 (0.67-0.93), 0.85 (0.73-0.98), 0.69 (0.58-0.83), 0.73 (0.62-0.86) for the highest versus lowest quartile intakes, respectively. Dose-response analyses showed that all of the carotenoids were inversely associated with hypertension in a linear manner. Total carotenoids showed significant effect of lower risk of hypertension at 100 μg/kg per day.CONCLUSION: Intakes ofα-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids were inversely associated with hypertension in US adults. The intake of total carotenoids was suggested at least 100 μg/kg per day for general adult population.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2014 ;9(10):e110825. Epub 2014 Oct 23. PMID: 25340654

Abstract Title: 

Occupational electromagnetic field exposures associated with sleep quality: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by mobile phone and other machineries concerns half the world's population and raises the problem of their impact on human health. The present study aims to explore the effects of electromagnetic field exposures on sleep quality and sleep duration among workers from electric power plant.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an electric power plant of Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 854 participants were included in the final analysis. The detailed information of participants was obtained by trained investigators using a structured questionnaire, which including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, sleep variables and electromagnetic exposures. Physical examination and venous blood collection were also carried out for every study subject.RESULTS: After grouping daily occupational electromagnetic exposure into three categories, subjects with long daily exposure time had a significantly higher risk of poor sleep quality in comparison to those with short daily exposure time. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.68 (95%CI: 1.18, 2.39) and 1.57 (95%CI: 1.10, 2.24) across tertiles. Additionally, among the subjects with long-term occupational exposure, the longer daily occupational exposure time apparently increased the risk of poor sleep quality (OR (95%CI): 2.12 (1.23∼3.66) in the second tertile; 1.83 (1.07∼3.15) in the third tertile). There was no significant association of long-term occupational exposure duration, monthly electric fee or years of mobile-phone use with sleep quality or sleep duration.CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that daily occupational EMF exposure was positively associated with poor sleep quality. It implies EMF exposure may damage human sleep quality rather than sleep duration.

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PMID: 

JAMA Dermatol. 2019 Jul 31. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31365038

Abstract Title: 

Association of Vitamin A Intake With Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk in the United States.

Abstract: 

Importance: Retinoids are bioactive forms of vitamin A that are essential in the maintenance of epithelial maturation and differentiation. Synthetic retinoids are used in chemoprevention of skin cancer among high-risk populations with potential adverse effects. Epidemiologic data on vitamin A intake and risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are limited.Objective: To examine whether vitamin A intake is associated with a reduction in SCC risk.Design, Settings, and Participants: This cohort study prospectively examined intake of vitamin A and carotenoids and SCC risk in the Nurses' Health Study (1984-2012) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2012). Diet was assessed repeatedly. Incident SCC was confirmed by pathologic reports. Data analysis was performed from June 21, 2017, to December 4, 2018.Exposures: Intakes of vitamin A, retinol, and carotenoids.Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident SCC. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compute cohort-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Pooled HRs of the cohort-specific results were calculated.Results: A total of 3978 SCC cases in 75 170 women in the Nurses' Health Study (mean [SD] age, 50.4 [7.2] years) and 48 400 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [9.9] years) were documented. Higher total vitamin A was associated with a reduction in SCC risk; with quintile 1 as the reference, the pooledmultivariate HRs for the increasing quintiles of vitamin A intake were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.87-1.07) for quintile 2, 0.97 (95% CI, 0.80-1.17) for quintile 3, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.84-1.03) for quintile 4, and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.93) for quintile 5 (P 

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