Simultaneous effect of gamma and Wi-Fi radiation on gamma-H2Ax expression in peripheral blood of rat: A radio-protection note

Abstract

Overview

Nuclear medicine patients often remain isolated in a room post-radiopharmaceutical injection, during which they might use the Wi-Fi feature of smartphones or be exposed to other environmental radiofrequency waves.

Objective

The study hypothesized and evaluated the increased biological impacts due to simultaneous exposure to gamma-ray and Wi-Fi waves by measuring enhanced DNA double-strand breaks in the lymphocytes found in rat’s peripheral blood.

Materials and Methods

• Fifty male Wistar rats were subjected to exposures for 2, 24, and 72 hours, solely by Wi-Fi, 99m Technetium (Tc), or both collaboratively.
• The power density level of Wi-Fi emissions was measured at 4.2nW/cm² at a 15 cm distance, with 100 μCi of 99m Tc injected intraperitoneally.
• Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture under general anesthesia, and mononuclear cells were extracted using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.
• The amount of gamma-H2AX foci per nucleus was quantified using flow cytometry.
• Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis Test to assess significant differences between groups over time and at consistent time frames, respectively.

Findings

The expression levels of gamma-H2AX varied among the three groups over time, with significant differences noted particularly after 72 hours of exposure.

Conclusion

Exposure to both Wi-Fi and gamma radiation simultaneously can significantly enhance the number of DNA double-strand breaks in peripheral blood lymphocytes following up to 72 hours post-technetium injection in rats, indicating substantial biological impact and potential health risks from combined radiological exposures.