Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Prevention of mobile phone induced skin tissue changes by melatonin in rat: an experimental study med./bio.

By: Özgüner F, Aydin G, Mollaoglu H, Gokalp O, Koyu A, Cesur G

Published in: Toxicol Ind Health 2004; 20 (6-10): 133-139

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects the 900 MHz electromagnetic irradiation emitted by mobile phones on the induction of histopathologic changes in skin and the effect of melatonin on any of these changes.

Background/further details

The experimental groups were composed of a nontreated control group, an exposed group without melatonin and an irradiated with melatonin treatment group (received 10 mg/kg per day melatonin in tap water for 10 days before irradiation). Skin graft was excized from the thoraco-abdominal area.

Endpoint

morphol./histopathol. changes: histopathologic changes in skin

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 10 days	SAR: 2 W/kg peak value power density: 1 mW/cm² mean (± 0.04 mW/cm²)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	near field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 10 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna
Setup	The animals were kept individually in a round plastic tube cage (12 cm in length, 5.5 cm in diameter) which was ventilated from head to tail to decrease stress. The whole body of the animal was positioned in close contact above the dipole antenna.
Additional info	The animals were divided into three groups (n=10/group): sham exposed group, 900 MHz irradiation (IR) group and melatonin and IR treated group (IR+MEL). Prior to the irradiation,10 mg/kg melatonin was given daily in tap water for 10 days to the IR+MEL group.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	peak value	unspecified	-	-
power density	1 mW/cm²	mean	measured	-	± 0.04 mW/cm²

Measurement and calculation details

The power density measurements were made using an electromagnetic field meter.

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

morphol./histopathol. changes: histopathologic changes in skin (hematoxylin-eosin stain; light microscopy)

Investigated system:

tissue slices

Investigated organ system:

skin

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the exposed group, increased thickness of stratum corneum, papillamatosis, atrophy of epidermis, basal cell proliferation, increased granular cell layer (hypergranulosis) in epidermis and capillary proliferation, impairment in collagen tissue distribution and separation of collagen bundles in dermis were all revealed compared to the control group. Most of these changes, except hypergranulosis, were prevented with melatonin treatment.
In conclusion, exposure to 900 MHz irradiation caused mild skin changes. Furthermore, melatonin treatment can reduce these alterations and may have a beneficial effect to prevent 900 MHz mobile phone-induced rat skin changes.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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