Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation emitted from a mobile phone base station on the redox homeostasis in different organs of Swiss albino mice

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the possible effects of exposure to mobile phone base station (MPBS) emits 1800-MHz RF-EMR on some oxidative stress parameters in the brain, heart, kidney and liver of Swiss albino mice under exposures below thermal levels. Mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups which were exposed to RF-EMR for 6 hr/day, 12 hr/day and 24 hr/day for 45 consecutive days, respectively, and a control group. The glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly reduced in mice brain after exposure to RF-EMR for 12 hr and 24 hr per day. Exposure of mice to RF-EMR for 12 hr and 24 hr per day also led to a significant increase in malondialdehyde (an index of lipid peroxidation) levels in mice brain. On the contrary, exposures used in this study did not induce any significant change in various oxidative stress-related parameters in the heart, kidney and liver of mice. Our findings showed no significant variations in the activities of aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), and on the level of creatinine (CRE) in the exposed mice. This study also revealed a decrease in RBC count with an increase in WBC count in mice subjected to 12 hr/day and 24 hr/day exposures. Exposure to RF-EMR from MPBS may cause adverse effects in mice brain by inducing oxidative stress arising from the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as indicated by enhanced lipid peroxidation, and reduced levels and activities of antioxidants.

KEYWORDS:

• Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR)
• mobile phone base station (MPBS)
• reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• antioxidants
• oxidative stress
• lipid peroxidation
• serum toxicity

Acknowledgments

We thank the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, for providing Inspire fellowship to Mary Zosangzuali (DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/[IF170375]).

We also thank the University Grant Commission, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, for providing fellowship to C. Lalmuansangi (201718-NFST-MIZ-00902) and Marina Lalremruati (UGC-MZU Fellowship).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.