Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

900-MHz microwave radiation promotes oxidation in rat brain med./bio.

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2011; 30 (4): 219-234

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of mobile exposure on different regions of the rat brain.

Background/further details

Six animals were exposed and six animals were sham exposed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day on 45 days
  • power: 2 mW maximum
  • SAR: 0.9 W/kg average over time (manufacturer's data)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day on 45 days
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 216.7 Hz
Additional info

burst width: 0.577 ms

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup rats placed individually in 18 - 22 cm long, 5.7 cm high and 4 - 7 cm wide Plexiglas cages, fixed with anechoic material and ventilated with 1 cm diameter holes; mobile phone positioned on top of the cage; mobility of the rats in the cage limited to 1 - 2 cm; cell phones in stand-by mode (missed call); each missed call lasted 1 min, separated by 15 s intervals
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 mW maximum measured - -
SAR 0.9 W/kg average over time - - manufacturer's data

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed a significant decrease in the enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, and an increase in catalase enzyme activity. Protein kinase C enzyme activity was significantly decreased in the samples of the exposed group (hippocampus and whole brain). Also, a significant decrease in the level of pineal melatonin and a significant increase in creatine kinase and caspase 3 enzyme activities was observed in the exposed group (whole brain) compared with the sham exposed group. Finally, a significant increase in the level of reactive oxygen species was also recorded.
The authors conclude that a decrease or an increase in antioxidative enzyme activities, protein kinase C, melatonin, caspase 3, and creatine kinase enzyme activities are related to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species in the animals under mobile phone exposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

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