Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Effects on Antioxidant Enzymes and Liver Function Tests

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields have adverse effects as a result of widespread use of electromagnetic radiations on biological systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mobile phone and microwave (MW; 2.45 GHz) radiation on the oxidative status of liver. In present study, 70-day-old male Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g) were used. Animals were divided in two groups: exposed and sham exposed (n = 6 in each group). Animals were exposed at two different frequencies of mobile phone and 2.45 GHz of MWs. Exposure was given for 2 h a day for 35 days. The effect of these radiations were observed in activities of liver antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters (total bilirubin, alkaline phosphate, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) related to liver functioning tests (LFT). Result shows that exposure to mobile phone and MW radiations decrease the level of GPx and SOD in exposed group as compared to sham-exposed group. While CAT level was found to be increased in exposed group as compared to sham exposed. Meanwhile, elevated level of MDA and changes in liver function parameters were also observed in mobile phone and MW-exposed groups by comparing to control ones. The study concludes that the chronic exposure to these radiations adversely affect the liver functioning and may be an indication of possible tumour promotion due to significant (P<0.05) changes occur in antioxidative enzymes.