Medical/biological study (experimental study)

900 MHz radiofrequency-induced histopathologic changes and oxidative stress in rat endometrium: protection by vitamins E and C med./bio.

By: Guney M, Özgüner F, Oral B, Karahan N, Mungan T

Published in: Toxicol Ind Health 2007; 23 (7): 411-420

Aim of study (acc. to author)

It should be examined whether oxidative stress has an important role in 900 MHz mobile phone induced endometrial damage and to investigate the role of the antioxidant vitamins E and C on endometrial tissue in rats.

Background/further details

Altogether thirty-two sexually mature female rats (16 weeks old, 170-200 g) were used. Vitamin E and vitamin C were injected as doses of 50 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly and 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally, respectively, before the daily exposure period. In control rats isotonic saline solution was administered. At the end of the study, control and exposed animals were waited for the onset of estrus, than the animals were sacrificed and their uterus examined.

Endpoint

cell function: oxidative stress

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day, for 30 days	power: 2 W peak value power density: 1.04 mW/cm² SAR: 4 W/kg maximum (whole body) SAR: 0.016 W/kg minimum (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

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

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna
Setup	A special exposure device with exposure antenna for insulated exposure was used in the study. The exposure system for an animal consisted of a ventilated plastic tube cage (12 cm long, 5 cm in diameter) and a half-wave dipole antenna above which the whole body of the rat was positioned in close contact.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The animals (eight each) were randomly allocated to one of four groups: control, sham exposed, RF exposed, and RF exposed plus vitamin treated.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
power density	1.04 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
SAR	4 W/kg	maximum	measured	whole body	-
SAR	0.016 W/kg	minimum	measured	whole body	-

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: oxidative stress: NO determination (Griess reaction), malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activity (spectrophotometry)
morphol./histopathol. changes: histological changes (e.g. apoptotic cells, leucocyte and lymphocyte infiltration): hematoxylin-eosin stain, light microscopy
body weight; estrous cycle (estimation of the vaginal smear)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
isolated organ
uterus

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Endometrial levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde increased in exposed rats while the combined vitamins E and C caused a significant reduction in the levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde. Likewise, endometrial superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in exposed animals while vitamins E and C caused a significant increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. In the exposure group histopathological changes in endometrium, diffuse and severe apoptosis, was present in the endometrial surface epithelial and glandular cells and the stromal cells. Diffuse eosinophilic leucocyte and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the endometrial stroma whereas the combination of vitamins E and C caused a significant decrease in these effects of electromagnetic irradiation.
In conclusion, oxidative endometrial damage plays an important role in the 900 MHz mobile phone-induced endometrial impairment and the modulation of oxidative stress with vitamins E and C reduces the 900 MHz mobile phone-induced endometrial damage both at biochemical and histological levels.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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