Authors
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Application of 9/5 MHz microwaves in mobiles causes thermal and non-thermal effects. Due to occupational exposure to microwaves particularly in telecommunication operators, and due to the importance of antioxidants in immune system and prevention of diseases, this study was designed to investigate the biological effects of 915 MHz microwaves in mobiles on antioxidant changes and their eversibility to normal after disconnected exposure.
Methods and Materials: This experimental study was conducted on 14 white male rabbits (three month old/1400-1700 gr) of pure NewZealand race. They were randomly assigned into case and control groups. Case rabbits were exposed, for three weeks 8 hours a day, to simulated mobile microwaves of 915 MHz frequency and mean density of 0.6789 mW/cm2 in radiation chamber. In order to investigate the reversibility of antioxidant capacity to normal, the exposure was disconnected for two weeks. Blood samples by cardiac puncture were obtained from both groups in three intervals (after 3 weeks exposure, after one week rest, again after two weeks) and plasma antioxidant was measured by FRAP assay. The absorption rate of TPT2-Fe+2 was read in 593 nm by spectrophotometer. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS using ANOVA and Tukey testes.
Results: The results of mean comparison of antioxidant concentration in control rabbits (890.61±104.555 mmol/lit) and case rabbits after threeweek exposure (630.61±151.08 mmol/lit) showed significant differences. The results of mean comparison of antioxidant concentration in control rabbits (870.28±104.55 mmol/lit) and case rabbits after a one-week disconnection (575.33±132.58 mmol/lit) and two weeks after disconnected exposure (526.66±20.66 mmol/lit) indicated that the induced effects were not reversible, and that they are statistically different from control rabbits' antioxidant mean.
Conclusion: Mobile-induced microwaves decreases plasma antioxidant capacity and it can be a harmful physical effect. Disconnection from exposure for two weeks is not sufficient for returning antioxidant capacity to normal due to occupational chronic exposure to mobile microwave radiation, chain reactions producing radicals and their persistence or stability or causing instability to parent molecules.
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