GSM Base Station Electromagnetic Radiation and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

The ever increasing use of cellular phones and the increasing number of associated base stations are becoming a widespread source of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. Some biological effects are likely to occur even at low-level EM fields. In this study, a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell was used as an exposure environment for plane wave conditions of far-field free space EM field propagation at the GSM base transceiver station (BTS) frequency of 945 MHz, and effects on oxidative stress in rats were investigated. When EM fields at a power density of 3.67 W/m2 (specific absorption rate = 11.3 mW/kg), which is well below current exposure limits, were applied, MDA (malondialdehyde) level was found to increase and GSH (reduced glutathione) concentration was found to decrease significantly (p < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a less significant (p = 0.0190) increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity under EM exposure.

Evaluation of Parenteral Antioxidant as a Protective Therapy Against Electromagnetic Radiation Produced by Cell Phones on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Rats

“…The obtained results for the effect of L-CySHCl on MDA level were in agreement with that recorded previously 19 . Kerman and Senol.,(2012) recently illustrated that protected rats by melatonin (antioxidant) exposed to EMR continuous field showed a significant decrease in MDA levels in blood samples (an aldehydic secondary products, accepted as an indicator for oxidative stress), thus protection acting indirectly against oxidative stress by reducing the lipid peroxidation product 20 .…”

“…As the endogenous GSH has a protecting role in scavenging radicals and in molecular repair, the depletion of GSH concentration may be owing to the higher consumption of GSH for scavenging the FRs production. However, such scavenging can result in a superoxide-dependent chain production of H2O2 and oxidized glutathione, which would stress the cells by oxidation 19 .…”

Biological indicators in response to radiofrequency/microwave exposure

“…One of the reasonable pathways of RF/MW intracellular action is based on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased levels of ROS, antioxidants, and cellular damage were found in different types of investigations including cell cultures, laboratory animals, and even in the humans after RF/MW exposure (67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74) On the other hand, the blood levels of MDA, CAT, vitamins A, D3, and E increased and GSH decreased. A study conducted by Moustafa et al (49) examined the effect of acute exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency fi eld on 12 male volunteers.…”

“…The proposed model theoretically proved that pulsed EM fi elds could be twice as effective biologically as the continuous ones (32). Furthermore there have been a number of papers connecting exposure of RF/MW radiation with excessive formation of free radicals (67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74). Action of free radicals is additionally enhanced in the presence of oxygen which further causes the formation of new radicals.…”

Accurate Method to Estimate Em Radiation From a GSM Base Station

“…Many studies show that the radiation from base stations is dangerous to health [1][2][3][4] and in fact it agrees that under some circumstances electromagnetic radiation may have a detrimentally affect on human health. Many researches and studies [5][6][7][8] about the Effect of EM radiation towards to the human organism, especially to the brain, indicate the importance of the issue.…”