The impact of electromagnetic radiation of different parameters on platelet oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.
BACKGROUND
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a variety of devices, e.g. cell phones, computers and microwaves, interacts with the human body in many ways. Research studies carried out in the last few decades have not yet resolved the issue of the effect of this factor on the human body and many questions are left without an unequivocal answer. Various biological and health-related effects have not been fully recognized. Thus further studies in this area are justified.


OBJECTIVE
A comparison of changes within catalase enzymatic activity and malondialdehyde concentration arising under the influence of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by car electronics, equipment used in physiotherapy and LCD monitors.


METHODS
The suspension of human blood platelets at a concentration of 1 × 109/0.001 dm 3, obtained from whole blood by manual apheresis, was the study material. Blood platelets were exposed to an electromagnetic field for 30 min in a laboratory stand designed for the reconstruction of the electromagnetic radiation generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors. The changes in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration were investigated after the exposure and compared to the control values (unexposed material).


RESULTS
An increase in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration was observed after 30 min exposure of platelets to EMF regardless of the radiation source. The most significant changes determining the degree of oxidative stress were observed after exposure to the EMF generated by car electronics.


CONCLUSIONS
The low frequency electromagnetic fields generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors may be a cause of oxidative stress in the human body and may lead to free radical diseases.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Łódź, Poland.
Małgorzata
M
Lewicka
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Łódź, Poland.
Gabriela A
GA
Henrykowska
Institute of Electrical Engineering Systems, Technical University of Łódź, Poland.
Krzysztof
K
Pacholski
Institute of Electrical Engineering Systems, Technical University of Łódź, Poland.
Artur
A
Szczęsny
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Łódź, Poland.
Maria
M
Dziedziczak-Buczyńska
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Łódź, Poland.
Andrzej
A
Buczyński
D000669:Amplifiers, Electronic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase