Adaptive Response Induced by Pre-Exposure to 915 MHz RF: A Possible Role for Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

Authors: Mortazavi SMJ, Mostafavi-Pour Z, Daneshmand M, Zal F, Zare R, Mosleh-Shirazi MA

Year: 2017 Jun 1

Category: Biomedical Physics and Engineering

Journal: J Biomed Phys Eng

Institution: J Biomed Phys Eng

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28580335

Abstract

Overview

As we increasingly rely on mobile phones and other sources of high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs), it's critical to investigate the potential health risks from their use. This study explores the concept of adaptive response, where earlier exposure to a lower level of stress (like EMFs) might boost cellular resistance against later, more severe stresses.

Materials and Methods

The study focused on the liver's biochemical response in 50 rats, divided into 5 groups.
Three groups were pre-exposed to 915 MHz RF radiation for 4 hours daily over a week at different power levels—low, medium, and high.
Following RF exposure, all rats were subjected to a sublethal gamma radiation dose and assessed for liver antioxidant enzyme activity after 24 hours.

Findings

The preliminary results indicate that pre-exposure to RF radiation at specific powers can trigger an adaptive response in liver tissues. This is evidenced by alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities—specifically, Glutathione (GSH) levels and Glutathione Reductase (GR) activity.

Conclusion

Exposure to low levels of microwave radiation might enhance the liver's defense mechanisms, specifically through increased GSH levels and GR activity. This protective effect seems to mitigate oxidative damage from subsequent, more intense gamma radiation exposures.

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