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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Author ORCID Identifier

ARMAĞAN YARDIM: 0000-0003-1228-1957

BAHRİYE SIRAV ARAL: 0000-0001-6003-6556

ARIN TOMRUK: 0000-0002-7600-0811

SİNEM ORUÇ: 0000-0001-9124-1245

KEVSER DELEN: 0000-0001-5678-9088

DİLEK KUZAY AKSOY: 0000-0002-1460-9883

CEMİLE SEYMEN: 0000-0002-8945-3801

GÜLNÜR TAKE KAPLANOĞLU: 0000-0002-4321-4709

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.5857

Abstract

Background/aim: Primarily due to wireless communication devices, especially mobile phones, there has been a steady rise in the intensity of nonionizing radiofrequency radiation (RFR). In recent years, increased human health problems raised concerns about whether there is a positive relationship between intense exposure to RFR and public health. The present study aims to investigate the effects of GSM-like RFR exposure on the male reproductive system and the impact of melatonin treatment (synergistic, antagonist, or additive).Materials and methods: Thirty-six male Wistar Albino rats were used and separated into six groups: i. Control; ii. Sham; iii. RFR exposure; iv. Control-melatonin; v. Sham-melatonin; vi. Melatonin + RFR exposure. Animals were exposed to 2600 MHz RFR with electric (E) field levels of 21.74 V/m for 30 min per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. All testicular tissue samples were evaluated under a light microscope for hematoxylin-eosin staining. Biochemical analyses were performed by measuring malondialdehyde, total nitric oxide, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase levels. We evaluated the combined effects of prolonged RFR exposure and melatonin treatment on ROS-mediated structural changes in testicular tissues.Results: Results showed that reactive intermediates (malondialdehyde and total nitric oxide) increased significantly with RFR exposure, while the protective effect of melatonin effectively reduced the radical levels of the tissues. Histological evaluation revealed a decrease in cell population and connective tissue elements under RFR exposure, accompanied by marked edema in the testicular tissues.Conclusion: The structural and functional effects of prolonged RFR exposure might be ROS-based. Moreover, these adverse effects might be compensated with externally treated supplements. There is a need for new extensive research.

Keywords

hematoxylin-eosin, Radiofrequency, rat, reactive oxygen species, testis

First Page

858

Last Page

865

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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