Prophylactic Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Pulmonary Ischemia-Reperfusion via HIF-1α/eNOS Pathway and BCL2/BAX Signaling.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the vascular effects of a radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) applied in the lung ischemia and reperfusion (IR) model on the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif-1α)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway and B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2)/BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) signaling. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats: Sham, IR, IR + RF-EMF, and RF-EMF. IR was applied to rats by 60 min of clamping hilus of left lungs and 60 min of reperfusion. Rats were kept in the RF-EMF unit for 60 min with or without activation. After sacrification, lung tissues were excised for histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and genetic analyses. IR injury led to increased damage-related emphysematous findings, significant hyperemia, and increased septal tissue thickness, as observed histopathologically, and immunoexpression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and caspase-3. In addition, it was noted that the biochemical parameters total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and genetic parameters Hif 1 α, eNOS, BAX increased, and BCL2 decreased due to IR damage. In the IR-RF-EMF group, improvement has been detected in all parameters. RF-EMF applied in the IR model exerts antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects on lung tissue damage through the Hif-1α/eNOS pathway and BCL-2/BAX signaling. The use of RF-EMF in IR damage is promising, as models that examine the long-term effects of RF-EMF at different frequencies.