The protective effect of melatonin and Ganoderma lucidum against the negative effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields on pulp structure in rat teeth

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether Extremely low frequency electric and magnetic field (ELF-EMF) had any harmful effects on dental pulp tissue and examine histologically whether melatonin (MLT) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) play a protective role against these harmful effects. Material and method: A total of 56 adult, male Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were separated into 8 equal groups and were exposed to ELF-EMF, generated by high voltage source, for 8 hours/day for 26 days–Groups I, II and III and for 52 days-Groups V, VI and VII. For sham-control groups (Groups IV and VIII for 26 and 52 days), rats were placed into same experimental set-up as exposure groups and same procedure was applied except ELF-EMF exposure. GL (20 mg/kg/day) and MLT (10 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage and the intraperitoneal route respectively. At the end of the study, the rats anterior teeth were examined immunohistochemicaly using vimentin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: Degeneration in the odontoblast cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, dilatation of the blood vessels and haemorrhagic changes were determined in the pulp of the rats in Groups I and V. A statistically significant difference was determined in the groups treated with MLT and GL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that exposure to ELF-EMF induced histological changes in the dental pulp of rats, the using of MLT and GL could have a protective effect against these effects.