The Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Generated from 1800 MHz Cell Phones on Erythrocyte Rheological Parameters and Zinc Level in Rats

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the electromagnetic field generated from the 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (EF) on erythrocyte rheological parameters and erythrocyte zinc levels. Material and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar Albino rats were randomly grouped as follows: 1) two control groups and 2) study groups: i) Group A: EF exposed group (2.5 h/day for 30 days, the phone on stand-by), and ii) Group B: EF exposed group (2.5 min/day for 30 days, the phone ringing in silent mode). At the end of the experimental period erythrocyte rheological parameters such as erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were determined by an ectacytometer. Erythrocyte zinc level, which affects hemorheological parameters, was also measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Erythrocyte deformability was decreased in both study groups but the decrease in group A was not statistically significant. Exposure to EF did not have any significant effect on erythrocyte aggregation. On the other hand, erythrocyte zinc level was significantly reduced in both study groups. Conclusion: Exposure to EF may have decreased tissue oxygenation due to reduced erythrocyte deformability. Decrease in erythrocyte zinc level may have caused the impairment in erythrocyte deformability. Turkish Başlık: 1800 MHz Radyofrekans Radyasyondan Kaynaklanan Elektromanyetik Alanın Eritrositlerin Reolojik Parametreleri ve Çinko Seviyeleri Üzerindeki Etkisi Anahtar Kelimeler: Elektromanyetik alan, eritrosit agregasyonu, eritrosit deformabilitesi, cep telefonu, eser element Giriş: Bu çalışmanın amacı 1800 MHz radyofrekans radyasyondan kaynaklanan elektromanyetik alanın (EF) eritrositlerin reolojik parametreleri ve çinko seviyeleri üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Yirmi dört adet erkek Wistar Albino sıçan, rastgele olarak aşağıdaki gruplara ayrıldı: 1) İki kontrol grubu ve 2) Çalışma grupları: i) A grubu: EF' ye maruz kalan grup (Telefon stand-by pozisyonundayken, 30 gün boyunca 2.5 saat/gün), ve ii) B grubu: EF' ye maruz kalan grup (Telefon sessiz modda çalarken, 30 gün boyunca 2.5 dakika/gün). Deneysel priyodun sonunda, eritrosit deformabilitesi ve agregasyonu gibi, eritrosit reolojik parametreleri bir ektasitometre aracılığıyla saptandı. Hemoreolojik parametreleri etkileyebilen eritrosit çinko seviyeleri ise atomik absorbsiyon spektrofotometresiyle ölçüldü. Sonuçlar: Eritrosit deformabilitesi tüm gruplarda kontrole göre azaldı. Fakat bu azalma A grubu için istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde değildi. EF' ye maruziyet eritrosit agregasyonu üzerinde anlamlı bir değişikliğe yol açmadı. Diğer taraftan eritrosit çinko düzeyleri tüm çalışma gruplarında kontrole göre anlamlı düzeyde azalmış bulundu. Tartışma: EF' ye maruziyet eritrosit deformabilitesini düşürerek doku oksijenasyonunu azaltmış olabilir. Eritrosit deformabilitesindeki bozulma ise eritrosit çinko seviyesindeki düşüşten kaynaklanmış olabilir.

Keywords

• Electromagnetic field, erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte deformability, mobile phone, trace element

The Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Generated from 1800 MHz Cell Phones on Erythrocyte Rheological Parameters and Zinc Level in Rats

Öz

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