Indicators of oxidative stress in thyroid cancer.

Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the levels of protein thiols and carbonyls were estimated in the blood samples of thyroid cancer patients (n = 20) before and after thyroidectomy, as well as in healthy controls (n = 10) to study the extent of damage caused by tumor tissue proliferation-induced oxidative stress and to ascertain that oxidative stress levels drop, when there was no proliferation. A significant decrease (p<0.001) in the levels of serum protein thiols and FRAP as well as a significant increase (p<0.001) in the levels of protein carbonyls and MPO activity in the blood of thyroid cancer patients before surgery was observed as compared to healthy controls. All the parameters studied also showed a significant difference (p<0.001) in their respective levels in thyroid cancer patients, pre- and post-thyroidectomy. These findings present the role of oxidative stress as a pathological implication of thyroid cancer.

Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats

INTRODUCTION: Mobile phones have become indispensable in the daily lives of men and women around the globe. As cell phone use has become more widespread, concerns have mounted regarding the potentially harmful effects of RF-EMR from these devices. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of RF-EMR from mobile phones on free radical metabolism and sperm quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male albino Wistar rats (10-12 weeks old) were exposed to RF-EMR from an active GSM (0.9/1.8 GHz) mobile phone for 1 hour continuously per day for 28 days. Controls were exposed to a mobile phone without a battery for the same period. The phone was kept in a cage with a wooden bottom in order to address concerns that the effects of exposure to the phone could be due to heat emitted by the phone rather than to RF-EMR alone. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last exposure and tissues of interest were harvested. RESULTS: One hour of exposure to the phone did not significantly change facial temperature in either group of rats. No significant difference was observed in total sperm count between controls and RF-EMR exposed groups. However, rats exposed to RF-EMR exhibited a significantly reduced percentage of motile sperm. Moreover, RF-EMR exposure resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and low GSH content in the testis and epididymis. CONCLUSION: Given the results of the present study, we speculate that RF-EMR from mobile phones negatively affects semen quality and may impair male fertility.