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Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure of microwave radiation from mobile phones in rat brain.

Journal of radiation research · 2008 · Harm · Moderate evidence

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HarmModerate evidencePaper 6465

Chronic exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation increased oxidative stress markers (MDA, carbonyl groups, XO activity) and decreased CAT activity in rat brain. Melatonin treatment significantly prevented the increase in MDA and XO activity after 40 days …

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of radiation research · 2008
Study typerandomized_trial
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress in the brain of animals chronically exposed to mobile phones and potential protective effects of melatonin in reducing oxidative stress and brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were performed on Wistar rats exposed to microwave radiation during 20, 40 and 60 days. Four groups were formed: I group (control)- animals treated by saline, intraperitoneally (i.p.) applied daily during follow up, II group (Mel)- rats treated daily with melatonin (2 mg kg(-1) body weight i.p.), III group (MWs)- microwave exposed rats, IV group (MWs + Mel)- MWs exposed rats treated with melatonin (2 mg kg(-1) body weight i.p.). The microwave radiation was produced by a mobile test phone (SAR = 0.043-0.135 W/kg). RESULTS: A significant increase in the brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group concentration was registered during exposure. Decreased activity of catalase (CAT) and increased activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) remained after 40 and 60 days of exposure to mobile phones. Melatonin treatment significantly prevented the increase in the MDA content and XO activity in the brain tissue after 40 days of exposure while it was unable to prevent the decrease of CAT activity and increase of carbonyl group contents. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated two important findings; that mobile phones caused oxidative damage biochemically by increasing the levels of MDA, carbonyl groups, XO activity and decreasing CAT activity; and that treatment with the melatonin significantly prevented oxidative damage in the brain.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial
Effect directionharm
PopulationWistar rats
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 0.043 W/kg · 20, 40 and 60 days
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 70% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Chronic exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation increased oxidative stress markers (MDA, carbonyl groups, XO activity) and decreased CAT activity in rat brain. Melatonin treatment significantly prevented the increase in MDA and XO activity after 40 days but did not prevent CAT activity decrease or carbonyl group increase.

Outcomes measured

  • oxidative stress markers in brain tissue
  • malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration
  • carbonyl group concentration
  • catalase (CAT) activity
  • xanthine oxidase (XO) activity
  • brain injury

Limitations

  • animal study, results may not directly translate to humans
  • sample size not specified
  • only biochemical markers assessed, no behavioral or functional outcomes
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 0.043,
    "duration": "20, 40 and 60 days"
  },
  "population": "Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "oxidative stress markers in brain tissue",
    "malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration",
    "carbonyl group concentration",
    "catalase (CAT) activity",
    "xanthine oxidase (XO) activity",
    "brain injury"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Chronic exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation increased oxidative stress markers (MDA, carbonyl groups, XO activity) and decreased CAT activity in rat brain. Melatonin treatment significantly prevented the increase in MDA and XO activity after 40 days but did not prevent CAT activity decrease or carbonyl group increase.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "animal study, results may not directly translate to humans",
    "sample size not specified",
    "only biochemical markers assessed, no behavioral or functional outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.7,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "microwave radiation",
    "oxidative stress",
    "melatonin",
    "brain",
    "rat"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study involves chronic exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation relevant to occupational or environmental exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1269/jrr.07077
PubMed: 18827438

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