Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Oxidative stress in hippocampus induced by 900 MHz electromagnetic field emitting mobile phone: protection by melatonin med./bio.

By: Kerman M, Senol N

Published in: Biomed Res 2012; 23 (1): 147-151

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress in the brain and the protective effect of melatonin should be investigated.

Background/further details

Male rats were divided into the following groups (n=8 each): 1) exposure to the electromagnetic field, 2) co-exposure to the electromagnetic field and melatonin, 3) sham exposure and treatment with saline solution. Melatonin (100 μg/kg body weight) or the saline solution were injected subcutaneously immediately before daily exposure. Subsequently, all animals were anesthetized, (sham) exposed and killed at the end of the exposure period.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: oxidative stress in rat brain

Exposure

- 900 MHz
- RF
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min/day for 10 days	power: 2 W peak value power density: 1.04 mW/cm² mean

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 30 min/day for 10 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna
Setup	exposure system consisted of a plastic tube (length: 12 cm, diameter: 5.5 cm) and a dipole antenna; rats were placed in the tube and positioned in close contact above the dipole antenna and the tube was ventilated from head to tail the reduce stress for the rat
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
power density	1.04 mW/cm²	mean	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: oxidative stress in the hippocampus: lipid peroxidation (level of malondialdehyde, reaction with thiobarbituric acid), enzyme activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (with nitroblue tetrazolium), glutathione peroxidase and catalase (spectrophotometry)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
brain homogenate

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the electromagnetic field exposure group (group 1), a significant decrease in enzyme activities of all antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) was found in hippocampal samples compared to the sham exposure group, while the lipid peroxidation was higher (no significance stated). Co-exposure to the electromagnetic field and melatonin (group 2) increased enzyme activities of antioxidant enzymes (no significance stated) and significantly reduced lipid peroxidation compared to group 1. (Remark EMF-Portal: These are the results as described in the flow text. The text refers also to tables and figures which can not be found in the article.)
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field might induce oxidative stress in the brain and that melatonin might have a protective effect.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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Hidisoglu E et al. (2016): 2100-MHz electromagnetic fields have different effects on visual evoked potentials and oxidant/antioxidant status depending on exposure duration
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