Cell Phone EMF Affects Rat Pulmonary Tc-MIBI Uptake and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

99mTc-MIBI is a radiopharmaceutical which has trend to accumulate in the heart, but its absorption in pulmonary system may alter heart accumulation and so affect the heart imaging. We aimed to assess the effects of cell phone EMF on lung accumulation of 99mTc-MIBI and oxidative stress. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups: four for 99mTc and 99mTc-MIBI control, four for 99mTc 900 and 1800 MHz, four for 99mTc-MIBI 900 and 1800 MHz. After injection of radiopharmaceutical in rats’ tail vein, the animals were housed in standard cages for expose to 900 or 1800 MHz in time of 15 or 30 min. Activity of 99mTc and 99mTc-MIBI in the lungs was being assayed using a dose calibrator. Concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) was measured in serum. After 15 and 30 min EMF radiation, in both groups of 900 and 1800 MHz, lung specific activity was increased the same as control group; meanwhile, in 15 min 900 MHz group, there was a significant increase in lung-to-heart specific activity ratio compared to other groups. Data showed a permanent increase in 900 MHz group CAT activity. MDA level had not any significant changes. The use of cell phone EMF during the preparation and imaging process could increase absorption of radiopharmaceutical by the pulmonary system and may affect lung-to-heart specific activity ratio, so affect to correct diagnosis by the physician.