Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Oxidative stress-mediated skin damage in an experimental mobile phone model can be prevented by melatonin med./bio.

By: Ayata A, Mollaoglu H, Yilmaz HR, Akturk O, Özgüner F, Altuntas I

Published in: J Dermatol 2004; 31 (11): 878-883

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of 900 MHz irradiation on fibrosis, lipid peroxidation, and anti-oxidant enzymes and the ameliorating effects of melatonin in rat skin.

Background/further details

The experimental groups were the control group, the exposed group, and the irradiated with melatonin treated group (received 10 mg/kg/day melatonin in tap water for 10 days before the irradiation). Skin graft was excized from the thoraco-abdominal area.

Endpoint

skin damage

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 10 days	power: 2 W unspecified power density: 1 mW/cm² unspecified (± 0.4 mW/cm²)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 10 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna RF generator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	5 mm
Setup	The rats were placed in a plastic tube (5.5 cm in diameter, 12 cm long) that was placed above the dipole antenna.
Additional info	Rats were allocated to three groups: control (sham exposed), irradiated (IR) and IR + Melatonin treated. The IR+Mel group received melatonin (10 mg/kg) in tap water daily before irradiation.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	unspecified	-	-	-
power density	1 mW/cm²	unspecified	measured	-	± 0.4 mW/cm²

Measurement and calculation details

Power density measurements were made at the EMC laboratory using an EMF meter.

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: skin activities of anti-oxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase)
skin levels of malondialdehyde and hydroxyproline (as indicators of skin damage and lipid peroxidation)

Investigated system:

tissue homogenates

Investigated organ system:

skin

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Malondialdehyde and hydroxyproline levels and activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were increased significantly in the exposed group compared to the control group and decreased significantly in the irradiated + melatonin group. Superoxide dismutase activity was decreased significantly in the exposed animals and this decrease was not prevented by the melatonin treatment.
These data suggest that rats irradiated with 900 MHz suffer from increased fibrosis and lipid peroxidation. Melatonin treatment can reduce the fibrosis and lipid peroxidation caused by irradiation.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Ceyhan AM et al. (2012): Protective effects of beta-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats
Imge EB et al. (2010): Effects of mobile phone use on brain tissue from the rat and a possible protective role of vitamin C - a preliminary study
Sokolovic D et al. (2008): Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure of microwave radiation from mobile phones in rat brain
Guney M et al. (2007): 900 MHz radiofrequency-induced histopathologic changes and oxidative stress in rat endometrium: protection by vitamins E and C
Koylu H et al. (2006): Melatonin modulates 900 Mhz microwave-induced lipid peroxidation changes in rat brain
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. II: 12-week chronic exposures
Masuda H et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. I: 2-hour acute exposures
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Human skin cell stress response to GSM-900 mobile phone signals. In vitro study on isolated primary cells and reconstructed epidermis
Oral B et al. (2006): Endometrial Apoptosis Induced by a 900-MHz Mobile Phone: Preventive Effects of Vitamins E and C
Oktem F et al. (2005): Oxidative damage in the kidney induced by 900-MHz-emitted mobile phone: protection by melatonin
Duranti G et al. (2005): In Vitro Evaluation of Biological Effects on Human Keratinocytes Exposed to 900 MHz Electromagnetic Field
Özgüner F et al. (2004): Prevention of mobile phone induced skin tissue changes by melatonin in rat: an experimental study