Medical/biological study (experimental study)

A novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents long-term mobile phone exposure-induced renal impairment in rat. Prognostic value of malondialdehyde, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and nitric oxide determination med./bio.

By: Özgüner F, Oktem F, Ayata A, Koyu A, Yilmaz HR

Published in: Mol Cell Biochem 2005; 277 (1-2): 73-80

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study long-term applied 900 MHz emitting mobile phone-induced oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to investigate the role of CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) on kidney tissue against the possible electromagnetic irradiation-induced renal impairment in rats.

Background/further details

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is one of the major components of honeybee propolis. It has been used in folk medicine for many years in Middle East countries. It was found to be a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant.
ROS such as superoxide and nitric oxide may contribute to the pathophysiology of electromagnetic irradiation-induced renal impairment.

Endpoint

oxidative stress-induced renal impairment

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 3 months	power: 2 W peak value power density: 1.04 mW/cm² unspecified SAR: 0.016 W/kg average over mass (whole body) SAR: 4 W/kg maximum (unspecified)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day for 3 months

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna RF generator
Chamber	A special exposure device with six exposure antennas was used. One exposure system consisted of a ventilated plastic tube cage (12 cm long x 5 cm in diameter) and a half-wave dipole antenna.
Setup	The whole body of the rat was positioned in close contact above the antenna.
Additional info	Rats were allocated to four groups: control (without stress and EMR), sham exposed, EMR exposed, and EMR exposed + CAPE treated. CAPE was injected i.p. daily immediately before exposure. Sham exposed rats received isotonic saline solution instead.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
power density	1.04 mW/cm²	unspecified	measured	-	-
SAR	0.016 W/kg	average over mass	measured	whole body	-
SAR	4 W/kg	maximum	measured	unspecified	-

Measurement and calculation details

Power density and SAR measurements were performed at the EMC laboratory.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: content of malondialdehyde (index of lipid peroxidation), urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG, a marker of renal tubular injury), and nitric oxide (an oxidant product) (spectrophotometry)
oxidative stress-induced renal impairment (content of different markers, see "molecular biosynthesis"); antioxidant status (activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase)

Investigated system:

kidney tissue homogenates; urine samples

Investigated organ system:

kidney

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the electromagnetic field exposed group, while tissue malondialdehyde, nitric oxide levels and urinary NAG levels increased, the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in renal tissue were reduced. CAPE treatment reversed these effects as well.
In conclusion, the data demonstrate the role of oxidative mechanisms in 900 MHz mobile phone-induced renal tissue damage. CAPE, via its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, ameliorates oxidative renal damage. These data strongly suggest that CAPE exhibits a protective effect on mobile phone-induced and free radical mediated oxidative renal impairment in rats.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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