Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of mobile phones on oxidant/antioxidant balance in cornea and lens of rats med./bio.

Published in: Curr Eye Res 2007; 32 (1): 21-25

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of mobile phones on the oxidant/antioxidant balance in corneal and eye lens tissues of rats and to observe any protective effects of vitamin C.

Background/further details

40 rats were assigned to one of four groups containing 10 rats each: 1) mobile phone exposure alone, 2) mobile phone exposure along with a daily oral dose of vitamin C (250 mg/kg), 3) vitamin C alone, 4) cage control.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent, 4 x 10 min/day, for 4 weeks
  • SAR: 1.2 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration intermittent, 4 x 10 min/day, for 4 weeks
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info

GSM

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 cm
Chamber The rats could move freely in their group-cages.
Setup The mobile phones were just above the cages.
Additional info The mobile phones were in standby position and called four times a day for 10 min.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.2 W/kg - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In corneal tissue, malondialdehyde level and catalase activity significantly increased in the mobile phone exposed group compared with the "mobile phone plus vitamin C group" and the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased.
In the eye lens tissues, only the malondialdehyde concentration significantly increased in the mobile phone exposed group relative to "mobile phone plus vitamin C group" and the control group. In eye lens tissue, significant differences were not found between the groups in terms of the different enzyme activities.
The data suggest that mobile telephone exposure leads to oxidative stress in corneal and eye lens tissues and that antioxidants such as vitamin C can help to prevent these effects.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles