Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system.
Hazardous health effects stemming from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) emitted from cell phones have been reported in the literature. However, the cellular target of RF-EMW is still controversial. This review identifies the plasma membrane as a target of RF-EMW. In addition, the effects of RF-EMW on plasma membrane structures (i.e. NADH oxidase, phosphatidylserine, ornithine decarboxylase) and voltage-gated calcium channels are discussed. We explore the disturbance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism caused by RF-EMW and delineate NADH oxidase mediated ROS formation as playing a central role in oxidative stress (OS) due to cell phone radiation (with a focus on the male reproductive system). This review also addresses: 1) the controversial effects of RF-EMW on mammalian cells and sperm DNA as well as its effect on apoptosis, 2) epidemiological, in vivo animal and in vitro studies on the effect of RF-EMW on male reproductive system, and 3) finally, exposure assessment and dosimetry by computational biomodeling.
Desai
Nisarg R
NR
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute and Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. nisargdesai@hotmail.com
Kesari
Kavindra K
KK
Agarwal
Ashok
A
D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology*; D040421:Cell Phone; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011827:Radiation