Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The prophylactic effect of vitamin C on induced oxidative stress in rat testis following exposure to 900 MHz radio frequency wave generated by a BTS antenna model med./bio.

By: Jelodar G, Nazifi S, Akbari A

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2013; 32 (3): 409-416

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress in the testes and the protective effect of vitamin C should be investigated.

Background/further details

Rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8 each): 1) exposure: exposure to the electromagnetic field and daily sham administration (orally, distilled water), 2) exposure + vitamin C: exposure to the electromagnetic field and daily administration of vitamin C (orally, 200 mg/kg body weight), 3) vitamin c: sham exposure and daily administration of vitamin C, 4) sham exposure: sham exposure and daily sham administration.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: oxidative stress in the testes

Exposure

- 900 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h/day for 45 days	power density: 0.6789 mW/cm²

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 4 h/day for 45 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	BTS antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	5 m
Chamber	cage
Setup	8 animals per cage
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.6789 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-

Additional parameter details

the power of the antenna at the location of the animal cage in the experiment equalized the power at the minimum distance of a citizen's residence (17 m) to a base station (=-75 db)

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: oxidative stress in the testes: enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (inhibition of reaction of superoxide with tetrazolium compound), glutathione peroxidase (commercial kit) and catalase (decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide), amount of lipid peroxidation (reaction of malondialdehyde with thiobarbituric acid, HPLC) and total protein content (Lowry's method) (spectrophotometry)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
testes homogenates

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the exposure group (group 1), the enzyme activities of the superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly decreased and the lipid peroxidation was significantly increased compared to the other groups.
In the exposure + vitamin c group (group 2), the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased compared to the other groups and lipid peroxidation was significantly lower than in the exposure group, but still significantly increased compared to the non-exposed groups (groups 3 and 4). All other parameters did not show any significant differences in group 2 compared to the non-exposed groups.
No significant differences were found between the vitamin c group and sham exposure group (groups 3 and 4).
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field could induce oxidative stress in the testes and that vitamin C might improve antioxidant enzyme activity.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Pandey N et al. (2017): Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in testicular germ cells in swiss albino mice
Odaci E et al. (2015): Exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour a day over 30 days does change the histopathology and biochemistry of the rat testis
Sokolovic D et al. (2015): The Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Microwave Radiation
Oksay T et al. (2014): Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative injury in rat testis induced by wireless (2.45 GHz) devices
Meena R et al. (2014): Therapeutic approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats
Akbari A et al. (2014): Vitamin C protects rat cerebellum and encephalon from oxidative stress following exposure to radiofrequency wave generated by a BTS antenna model
Kumar S et al. (2014): Effect of electromagnetic irradiation produced by 3G mobile phone on male rat reproductive system in a simulated scenario
Ozorak A et al. (2013): Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and Mobile Phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-Induced Risks on Oxidative Stress and Elements in Kidney and Testis of Rats During Pregnancy and the Development of Offspring
Lee HJ et al. (2012): The effects of simultaneous combined exposure to CDMA and WCDMA electromagnetic fields on rat testicular function
Al-Damegh MA (2012): Rat testicular impairment induced by electromagnetic radiation from a conventional cellular telephone and the protective effects of the antioxidants vitamins C and E
Kesari KK et al. (2011): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic wave exposure from cellular phones on the reproductive pattern in male wistar rats