Impact of radiofrequency radiation on DNA damage and antioxidants in peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency radiations (RFRs) emitted by mobile phone base stations have raised concerns on its adverse impact on humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Therefore, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the effect of RFR on the DNA damage and antioxidant status in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) of individuals residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations and comparing it with healthy controls. The study groups matched for various demographic data including age, gender, dietary pattern, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of mobile phone use and average daily mobile phone use. The RF power density of the exposed individuals was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group. The HPBLs were cultured and the DNA damage was assessed by cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (MN) assay in the binucleate lymphocytes. The analyses of data from the exposed group (n = 40), residing within a perimeter of 80 m of mobile base stations, showed significantly (p < 0.0001) higher frequency of micronuclei when compared to the control group, residing 300 m away from the mobile base station/s. The analysis of various antioxidants in the plasma of exposed individuals revealed a significant attrition in glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.01), activities of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001) and rise in lipid peroxidation (LOO) when compared to controls. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a significant association among reduced GSH concentration (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.001) and SOD (p < 0.001) activities and elevated MN frequency (p < 0.001) and LOO (p < 0.001) with increasing RF power density.

KEYWORDS:

• Antioxidants
• genotoxicity
• humans
• micronucleus
• power density

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the cooperation extended by the participants without which the study would have not been completed. The authors are grateful to Prof. N. Senthilkumar for allowing us to use the instrument facility in the Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University, State Biotech Hub Programme, Government of India, New Delhi. The authors wish to thank Dr. Lalrinthara Pachuau for his valuable assistance in power density measurements. We are grateful to Dr. C. Lalfamkima Varte for his assistance in statistical analyses.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by University Grants Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi, vide grant number F.4-10/2010 (BSR).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University Grants Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi, vide grant number F.4-10/2010 (BSR).