Research and Reports in Urology (Oct 2020)
Combined Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and X-Ray in Renal Tissue and Function
Abstract
Sajad Borzoueisileh,1,2 Ali Shabestani Monfared,3 Hossein Ghorbani,4 SMJ Mortazavi,5 Ebrahim Zabihi,1 Mehdi Pouramir,1 Mohsen Shafiee,6 Fatemeh Niksirat7 1Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; 2Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; 3Cancer Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; 4Pathology Department, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; 5Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 6Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran; 7Department of Medical Physics Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IranCorrespondence: Ali Shabestani MonfaredCancer Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Ganjafrooz St., Babol, IranTel +989111230475Fax +981135289733Email [email protected]: Biochemical and histopathological properties of renal tissues were reported to be affected by both radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and ionizing radiation. The radiation-induced changes in the kidney, including the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), could lead to adverse health outcomes such as chronic kidney disease. These complications signify the importance of the research in this field. Thus, in this study, the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, as well as their combination, were assessed by evaluating the alteration in BUN, Cr, and histopathological changes in kidney tissue.Materials and Methods: Ninety-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were exposed to either 900/1800MHz (mobile phone) or 2.4 GHz RF-EMF (Wi-Fi) radiation for 14 days, 8Gy x-ray, or their combination. Sera were collected from 2 mL of rat blood, then BUN and Cr levels were determined. Also, renal samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated histopathologically.Results: Both BUN and Cr levels raised non-significantly after exposure to 8 Gy x-rays. Moreover, all measurements in the samples of x-ray groups were in borderline or higher than normal values. The BUN levels of control, Wi-Fi, x-ray, and Wi-Fi+x-ray groups were not significantly different. However, Cr levels in the Wi-Fi group were significantly higher than those of the controls, and BUN to Cr ratio levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. Also, tubular atrophy and vessel wall thickening were associated with these exposures.Conclusion: Exposure to 900/1800MHz, 2400 MHz EMF can alter the kidney function. However, pre-exposure to 900/1800MHz EMF could modulate the acute adverse effects of lethal x-ray dose, which addresses the adaptive response in the kidney.Keywords: EMF, RF, kidney, mobile phone radiation, Wi-Fi radiation
