Effects of Vitamin C on Oxidative Stress in Erythrocytes Following Exposure to Radiofrequency Waves Generated by a BTS Antenna Model

Background: Radiofrequency waves (RFW) of electronic devices and wireless communication systems affect biological systems by changing free radicals, increase lipid peroxidation and changes of antioxidant activity thereby leading to oxidative stress. This study was conducted to evaluate the RFW-induced oxidative stress in the erythrocytes and the prophylactic effect of vitamin C on these cells by measuring antioxidant enzymes activity including: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA). \nMaterials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups and treated daily (4 h/day) for 45 days as follows: sham, sham+vitamin C (200 mg/kg/day by nasogastric tube), RFW (exposed to 900 MHz RFW) and RFW+ vitamin C group (received vitamin C in addition to exposure to RFW). At the end of the experiment blood sample was collected by heart puncture for measurement of antioxidant enzymes activity and MDA level. \nResults: The results indicate that exposure to RFW in the test group decreased antioxidant enzymes activity and increased MDA compared with the control groups (p<0.05). In the treated group vitamin C improved antioxidant enzymes activity and improved MDA level compared to the test group (p<0.05). \nConclusion: It can be concluded that RFW causes oxidative stress in erythrocytes, and vitamin C improves the antioxidant enzymes activity and decreases MDA. \n