The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits and their newborns

Abstract

The concerns of people on possible adverse health effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) generated from mobile phones as well as their supporting transmitters (base stations) have increased markedly. RFR effect on oversensitive people, such as pregnant women and their developing fetuses, and older people is another source of concern that should be considered. In this study, oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in the brain tissue of pregnant and non-pregnant New Zealand White rabbits and their newborns exposed to RFR were investigated. Thirteen-month-old rabbits were studied in four groups as non-pregnant-control, non-pregnant-RFR exposed, pregnant-control and pregnant-RFR exposed. They were exposed to RFR (1800 MHz GSM; 14 V/m as reference level) for 15 min/day during 7 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were analyzed. MDA and 8-OHdG levels of non-pregnant and pregnant-RFR exposed animals significantly increased with respect to controls (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). No difference was found in the newborns (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney). There exist very few experimental studies on the effects of RFR during pregnancy. It would be beneficial to increase the number of these studies in order to establish international standards for the protection of pregnant women from RFR.

Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice

“…We also identified parallel morphological and functional changes in hippocampal and mPFC neurons, though the molecular mechanisms responsible for the effects remain unclear. Lower RF-EMR density and long-term (chronic) exposure-induced cellular/organismal responses have previously been suggested to involve activation of signal transduction pathways, disruption of ion channels, DNA damage, and changes to cellular apoptosis and gene expression163334. We used acute, single, high-density RF-EMR exposure, and showed a fast and long-term positive effect on recognition memory.…”

Evaluation of hematopoietic system effects after in vitro radiofrequency radiation exposure in rats

“…In another study, human lymphocytes were exposed to 2459 MHz pulsed MW for 2 h, at a power density of 5 mW/cm 2 and SAR of 2.135 W/kg, and there was no evidence of induction of DNA single-strand breaks and alkali labile lesions either immediately or 4 h after exposure (Vijayalaxmi et al 2000(Vijayalaxmi et al , 2001a(Vijayalaxmi et al , 2001b. However, a few groups (Campisi et al 2010, Guler et al 2010, Franzellitti et al 2010) have reported positive effects on DNA damage after intermittent exposure but showed no effects on the same end point with CW 900/1800 MHz exposure. On the other hand, previous work from our research group has reported no effects on human leukaemic Tcells (Jurkat cells) after CW and Pulse-modulated (PM) 915 MHz exposure (Cranfield et al 2001).…”

Influence of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) on lipid peroxidation in brain, blood, liver and kidney in rats

“…They concluded that increased oxidative stress due to the EMF exposure may contribute to cognitive impairment and inflammation in the brain. The lipid peroxidation in the brain tissue of pregnant and non-pregnant New Zealand White rabbits exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMF, resulting in oxidative DNA damage, was investigated by Guler et al [25]. Rabbits were exposed to RF-EMF (1800 MHz GSM; 14 V/m) for 15 min/ day during 7 days.…”