The impact of electromagnetic radiation of different parameters on platelet oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a variety of devices, e.g. cell phones, computers and microwaves, interacts with the human body in many ways. Research studies carried out in the last few decades have not yet resolved the issue of the effect of this factor on the human body and many questions are left without an unequivocal answer. Various biological and health-related effects have not been fully recognized. Thus further studies in this area are justified. OBJECTIVES: A comparison of changes within catalase enzymatic activity and malondialdehyde concentration arising under the influence of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by car electronics, equipment used in physiotherapy and LCD monitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The suspension of human blood platelets at a concentration of 1 × 109/0.001 dm 3, obtained from whole blood by manual apheresis, was the study material. Blood platelets were exposed to an electromagnetic field for 30 min in a laboratory stand designed for the reconstruction of the electromagnetic radiation generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors. The changes in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration were investigated after the exposure and compared to the control values (unexposed material). RESULTS: An increase in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration was observed after 30 min exposure of platelets to EMF regardless of the radiation source. The most significant changes determining the degree of oxidative stress were observed after exposure to the EMF generated by car electronics. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency electromagnetic fields generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors may be a cause of oxidative stress in the human body and may lead to free radical diseases.

The effect of electromagnetic radiation emitted by display screens on cell oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.

INTRODUCTION: Research studies carried out for decades have not solved the problem of the effect of electromagnetic radiation of various frequency and strength on the human organism. Due to this fact, we decided to investigate the changes taking place in human blood platelets under the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by LCD monitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The changes of selected parameters of oxygen metabolism were measured, i.e. reactive oxygen species concentration, enzymatic activity of antioxidant defence proteins - superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and catalase (CAT) - and malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). A suspension of human blood platelets was exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity for 30 and 60 min. The level of changes of the selected parameters of oxidative stress was determined after the exposure and compared to the control samples (not exposed). RESULTS: The measurements revealed an increase of the concentration of reactive oxygen species. The largest increase of ROS concentration vs. the control sample was observed after exposure to EMF of 220 V/m intensity for 60 min (from x = 54.64 to x = 72.92). The measurement of MDA concentration demonstrated a statistically significant increase after 30-min exposure to an EMF of 220 V/m intensity in relation to the initial values (from x = 3.18 to x = 4.41). The enzymatic activity of SOD-1 decreased after exposure (the most prominent change was observed after 60-min and 220 V/m intensity from x = 3556.41 to x = 1084.83). The most significant change in activity of catalase was observed after 60 min and 220 v/m exposure (from x = 6.28 to x = 4.15). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that exposure to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity may cause adverse effects within blood platelets' oxygen metabolism and thus may lead to physiological dysfunction of the organism.

The effect of 50 hz magnetic field of different shape on oxygen metabolism in blood platelets: in vitro studies.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the influence that the shape of low frequency magnetic field may have on catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde concentration and free radicals generation in human blood platelets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The suspension of human blood platelets was exposed for 15 min to 50 Hz magnetic field of different shape, and flux density of 10 mT. RESULTS: The determinations of free radicals, malondialdehyde and catalase showed increased values compared with the initial level, regardless of the shape of the magnetic field applied. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity was lower than at the onset of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the oxidative stress resulting from exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field of 10 mT induction may produce a number of adverse effects within the cell and thus may lead to systemic disturbances in the human body.

[Influence of electromagnetic field on chosen parameters of thrombocytes' oxygen metabolism--in vitro research]. / Wplyw ksztaltu pola elektromagnetycznego na wybrane parametry metabolizmu tlenowego krwinek plytkowych--badania in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Being a natural environmental factor, an electromagnetic field exists from the beginning of the life on Earth and it has an influence on maintenance of life processes. Natural electromagnetic fields affect day and year rhythms of plants, animals and humans. As a result of an electromagnetic field's activity, there occurs a disorder of blood platelets' function, which may, in consequence, lead to acute and chronic conditions dangerous to health and life. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this work was to assess the influence, which a shape of an electromagnetic field of low frequency has on generating free radicals and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase in human blood platelets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Suspension of human blood platelets was subjected to activity of electromagnetic field of different shapes, frequency of 50 Hz and induction of 10 mT for 15 and 30 minutes. An electromagnetic field was generated with Helmholtz coils arranged on a bracket, inside of which test tubes with the blood platelets' suspension were put. Next, they were subjected to an activity of a specific electromagnetic field. RESULT: The measurement of free radicals generation indicated an increase, in comparison with the initial values, after 15 minutes as well as 30 minutes of exposition, regardless of the electromagnetic field's shape, whereas the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase decreased, in comparison with the initial values, after 15 minutes as well as 30 minutes of exposition, regardless of the applied electromagnetic field's shape. CONCLUSION: Basing on obtained results, it may be stated that the level of generating free radicals as well as the level of enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase in tested blood cells indicates significant dependence on an electromagnetic field's shape. The greatest changes have been observed during the activity of a rectangular and triangular pulse.

[Effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1)--in vitro researches]. / Zmiany aktywnosci dysmutazy ponadtlenkowej (SOD-1) w krwinkach plytkowych poddanych dzialaniu promieniowania elektromagnetycznego wysokiej czestotliwosci--badania in vitro.

The aim of the paper was to estimate in vitro the effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) in human blood platelets. Suspension of blood platelets exposed to the electromagnetic field of 900 MHz frequency for 1, 3, 5, 7 minutes. Our studies demonstrated that microwaves produced by mobiles significally depleted the activity of SOD-1 after 1, 5, 7 min. of exposition and increased after 3 min. nn comparison wit control test. On the ground of our results we conclude that oxidative stress after exposition to microwaves can be the reason of many disadvantageous changes in cells and may cause many systemic consequences in human organism.

[Infectious diseases among military personnel in the catchment area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon hospital, from 1993 to 2000]. / Zachorowania na choroby zakazne osób z rejonu lecznicze- go szpitala Tymczasowych Sil Zbrojnych onz w Libanie w latach 1993 - 2000.

In the study the incidence of infectious diseases among military personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and local civilian population is examined. Additionally, the authors investigate the potential risk factors, including environmental conditions, influencing the incidence of infectious diseases. Epidemiological analysis was conducted based on the medical records of patients treated in the Internal and Surgical Ward of the UNIFIL Hospital from 1993 to 2000. The patients with infectious diseases accounted for 5.84 % of all patients hospitalized during the analyzed period. The most frequent infectious diseases treated during that time were salmonellosis and staphylococcal food poisoning.