The effect of cell-phone radiation on rabbits: Lymphocyte enzyme-activity data

Abstract

The effect of a GSM 900/1800 mobile phone, which is a widespread source of electromagnetic radiation of the microwave frequency in the environment, on rabbits was studied at power densities of 5–7 μW/cm2. The biological effect was recorded by a sensitive method for the detection of the physiological regulation of enzyme activity inside lymphocytes in blood smears. Succinate dehydrogenase, which is the most powerful energy-supply enzyme in mitochondria, and lactate dehydrogenase, which is an enzyme of glycolysis, were measured. The lactate dehydrogenase to succinate dehydrogenase activity ratio was also calculated as an analog of the Warburg effect, which demonstrates the relationship between glycolysis and respiration. After 60 min of mobile-phone exposure each day for 11 days at a moderate dose, the emitted radiation induced a threefold increase in succinate dehydrogenase activity and a twofold decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity. As a result, the lactate dehydrogenase/succinate dehydrogenase activity ratio falls from 15 to 5, thus indicating that respiration is predominant over glycolysis. The changes develop already after the first exposure and reach a maximum in 4 days. The predominance of respiration is usually considered as a beneficial state of an organism. However, continuous activation of respiration by mobile phone exposure may cause damage to the normal restorative processes that are supported by glycolysis during periods of rest.