0000000000754927
AUTHOR
R. Spessert
No short‐term effects of high‐frequency electromagnetic fields on the mammalian pineal gland
There is ample experimental evidence that changes of earth-strength static magnetic fields, pulsed magnetic fields, or alternating electric fields (60 Hz) depress the nocturnally enhanced melatonin synthesis of the pineal gland of certain mammals. No data on the effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin synthesis is available. In the present study, exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields [0.1 to 0.6 mW/cm2, approximately 0.06 to 0.36 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) in rats and 0.04 W/kg in Djungarian hamsters; both continuous and/or pulsed at 217 Hz, for 15 min to 6 h] at day or night had no notable short-term effect on pineal melatonin synthesis in male and femal…
Expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat superior cervical ganglion on mRNA and protein level.
The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the rat superior cervical ganglion was investigated by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridization applying probes for the alpha 4-1 and beta 2 subunit mRNA. Immunoblot analysis of homogenized ganglia using the anti-nAChRs antibody WF6 revealed a labeled protein band of apparent molecular weight of 40 kDa which is typical for the alpha subunit of nAChRs. Applying double-labeling immunofluorescence with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase, nAChR-like molecules were identified in most postganglionic neurons and in a subpopulation of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells. alpha 4-1 and bet…