Oxidative Damage in the Kidney Induced by 900-MHz-Emitted Mobile Phone: Protection by Melatonin
Oktem F, Ozguner F, Mollaoglu H, Koyu A, Uz E. · 2005
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation caused measurable kidney damage in rats after just 10 days of exposure, but natural melatonin completely prevented the harm.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days and found significant kidney damage, including increased oxidative stress markers and reduced antioxidant defenses. The study also showed that melatonin (a natural hormone) completely protected against this kidney damage when given before radiation exposure. This suggests that cell phone radiation can harm organs beyond the brain, particularly the kidneys which absorb radiation when phones are carried on belts or in pockets.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of EMF health effects beyond the brain and reproductive organs. The researchers chose to focus on kidneys because these organs absorb significant radiation when phones are carried on belts or in pockets - a common practice that most people never consider risky. The 900 MHz frequency used matches older 2G networks, though modern phones operate across multiple frequency bands including this range. What makes this research particularly compelling is the clear biological mechanism shown: the radiation triggered oxidative stress, overwhelming the body's natural antioxidant defenses and causing measurable kidney damage. The fact that melatonin completely prevented this damage suggests the harm is real and preventable, not just statistical noise. This study joins a growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure can damage organs throughout the body through oxidative stress pathways.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz Duration: 30 min/day for 10 days
Study Details
The aim of this study was to examine 900-MHz mobile phone-induced oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on renal tubular damage and the role of melatonin on kidney tissue against possible oxidative damage in rats.
The animals were randomly grouped as follows: 1) sham-operated control group and 2) study groups: i)...
In the EMR-exposed group, while tissue MDA and urine NAG levels increased, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px acti...
These results show that melatonin may exhibit a protective effect on mobile phone-induced renal impairment in rats.
Show BibTeX
@article{f_2005_oxidative_damage_in_the_1683,
author = {Oktem F and Ozguner F and Mollaoglu H and Koyu A and Uz E.},
title = {Oxidative Damage in the Kidney Induced by 900-MHz-Emitted Mobile Phone: Protection by Melatonin},
year = {2005},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15950073/},
}