Mobile phone radiation-induced free radical damage in the liver is inhibited by the antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and epigallocatechin-gallate.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme status in the liver of guinea pigs exposed to mobile phone-like radiofrequency radiation (RFR) and the potential protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) on the oxidative damage.


METHODS
Nine groups of guinea pigs were used to study the effects of exposure to an 1800-MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-modulated signal (average whole body Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.38 W/kg, 10 or 20 min per day for seven days) and treatment with antioxidants.


RESULTS
Significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitric oxide (NO(x)) levels and decreases in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were observed in the liver of guinea pigs after RFR exposure. Only NAC treatment induces increase in hepatic GSH-Px activities, whereas EGCG treatment alone attenuated MDA level. Extent of oxidative damage was found to be proportional to the duration of exposure (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Mobile phone-like radiation induces oxidative damage and changes the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. The adverse effect of RFR may be related to the duration of mobile phone use. NAC and EGCG protect the liver tissue against the RFR-induced oxidative damage and enhance antioxidant enzyme activities.
Ozgur
Elcin
E
Department of Biophysics and Gazi Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Center, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Güler
Göknur
G
Seyhan
Nesrin
N
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D040421:Cell Phone; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D009195:Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000111:Acetylcysteine