Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress parameters in rat lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma med./bio.

By: Aydin B, Akar A
Published in: Arch Med Res 2011; 42 (4): 261-267
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

1.) To study the effects of a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on organs of immune system (spleen, thymus, bone marrow), polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma of immature and mature rats, focusing on changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system, plasma antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and oxidant parameters such as NO level and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity;
2.) To determine whether there is any difference between immature and mature rats in terms of oxidative damage caused by electromagnetic field exposure; and
3.) to test whether electromagnetic field-induced damage is reversible in immature and mature rats.

Background/further details

24 immature (2 weeks old) and 24 mature rats (10 weeks old) were divided into six groups of eight rats: two control groups, two exposure groups, and two recovery groups (kept for 15 days after exposure).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2h/day on 45 days

General information

Rats were divided into six groups: i) immature control rats ii) immature rats exposed to EMF iii) immature rats exposed to EMF + kept for 15 days after exposure iv) mature control rats v) mature rats exposed to EMF vi) mature rats exposed to EMF + kept for 15 days after exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2h/day on 45 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup rats placed in a restrainer with a galvanized plate under it for grounding; 15 cm high antenna positioned in the center of the restrainer about 6 cm from the rat's head; due to the rat's movement the distance between antenna and rat's head varied from 6 to 9 cm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W - - - -
electric field strength 19.76 V/m minimum measured - average for immature rats
electric field strength 28.58 V/m maximum measured - average for immature rats
electric field strength 18.15 V/m minimum measured - average for mature rats
electric field strength 23.61 V/m maximum measured - average for mature rats
SAR 0.38 W/kg minimum calculated whole body for immature rats
SAR 0.78 W/kg maximum calculated whole body for immature rats
SAR 0.28 W/kg minimum calculated whole body for mature rats
SAR 0.48 W/kg maximum calculated whole body for mature rats

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed substantial, deleterious biochemical changes in oxidative stress metabolism after electromagnetic field exposure. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and glutathione peroxidase), glutathione levels in lymphoid organs and the antioxidant capacity of the plasma decreased in mature and immature rats, but lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma as well as myeloperoxidase enzyme activity increased. Oxidative damage was tissue specific and recovery after 15 days was limited, especially in immature rats.
The data showed higher levels of irreversible oxidative damage in the lymphoid organs of immature rats than in mature rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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