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.
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
Nisarg R
NR
Desai
Kavindra K
KK
Kesari
Ashok
A
Agarwal
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