title: The Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Generated from 1800 MHz Cell Phones on Erythrocyte Rheological Parameters and Zinc Level in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the electromagnetic field generated from the 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (EF) on erythrocyte rheological parameters and erythrocyte zinc levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four male Wistar Albino rats were randomly grouped as follows: 1) two control groups and 2) study groups: i) Group A: EF exposed group (2.5 h/day for 30 days, the phone on stand-by), and ii) Group B: EF exposed group (2.5 min/day for 30 days, the phone ringing in silent mode). At the end of the experimental period erythrocyte rheological parameters such as erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were determined by an ectacytometer. Erythrocyte zinc level, which affects hemorheological parameters, was also measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erythrocyte deformability was decreased in both study groups but the decrease in group A was not statistically significant. Exposure to EF did not have any significant effect on erythrocyte aggregation. On the other hand, erythrocyte zinc level was significantly reduced in both study groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to EF may have decreased tissue oxygenation due to reduced erythrocyte deformability. Decrease in erythrocyte zinc level may have caused the impairment in erythrocyte deformability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erken
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melek Bor
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Küçükatay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sebahat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turgut
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Balikesir State Hospital, Balikesir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Haydar Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Erken
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selçuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cömlekçi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Divrikli
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Genç
keywords: Electromagnetic field; erythrocyte aggregation; erythrocyte deformability; mobile phone; trace element