Toxicol Ind Health. 2006 Jun;22(5):211-6

* Koylu H, * Mollaoglu H, * Ozguner F, * Nazyroglu M, * Delibab N.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, 32260, Isparta, Turkey.

Microwaves (MW) from cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing free radicals, which may enhance lipid peroxidation levels of the brain, thus leading to oxidative damage. Melatonin is synthesized in and secreted by the pineal gland at night and exhibits anti-oxidant properties. Several studies suggest that supplementation with anti-oxidant can influence MW-induced brain damage. The present study was designed to determine the effects of MW on the brain lipid peroxidation system, and the possible protective effects of melatonin on brain degeneration induced by MW. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows: (1) sham-operated control group (N = 8); (2) study 900-MHz MW-exposed group (N = 8); and (3) 900-MHz MW-exposed+melatonin (100 microg/kg sc before daily MW exposure treated group) (N = 10). Cortex brain and hippocampus tissues were removed to study the levels of lipid peroxidation as malonyl dialdehyde. The levels of lipid peroxidation in the brain cortex and hippocampus increased in the MW group compared with the control group, although the levels in the hippocampus were decreased by MW+melatonin administration. The brain cortex lipid peroxidation levels were unaffected by melatonin treatment. We conclude that melatonin may prevent MW-induced oxidative changes in the hippocampus by strengthening the anti-oxidant defense system, by reducing oxidative stress products.

PMID: 16898263 [PubMed - in process]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16898263&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum

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This is an interesting follow-up to similar studies, eg:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15729859&dopt=Abstract

J Dermatol. 2004 Nov;31(11):878-83.

Oxidative stress-mediated skin damage in an experimental mobile phone model can be prevented by melatonin.

Ayata A, Mollaoglu H, Yilmaz HR, Akturk O, Ozguner F, Altuntas I.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16318001&query_hl=1


Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2005 Sep-Oct;(5):17-20.

Influence of shf (460 MHz) electromagnetic fields on the level of induced lipid peroxidation in the structures of visual analyzer and hypothalamus in experimental animals


All a story of oxidative stress again, and how the body responds. But all these studies clearly show that these frequencies, not their power. And cells don't have to do fast-Fourier transforms or behave like radio receivers, or get hot, in order to see these altered chemical reactions. So the role of melatonin remains high on the agenda, and demonstrating that (and finding out why) remains a key element in sub-thermal EMF bio-effects. Reminder of three good reasons why, (the industry hasn't answered these noted effects, they just deny them). These effects must be measured at the right time and at cellular level, not just in expressed melatonin levels in the morning (too crude an indicator):

a) direct EMF pineal "illumination" (as in "light at night")

b) serotonin alteration (nitric oxide prevents formation of melatonin)

c) sleep cycle disruption by any other method disrupts the melatonin cycle.

Any one of these, or all, will reduce immune response to free radical generation by EMFs (or anything else).

[... and since you might ask, nitric oxide is also a regulator of lipid peroxidation, in a complex way, and can suppress or enhance it according to a balance with other enhancers and suppressants]

Andy


From Mast Sanity/Mast Network