1175ff.pdf 886 | 1Department of Urology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey 2 Department of Histology and Embryology, Marmara University School of Medi- cine, Istanbul, Turkey Orhan Koca,1 Ali Murat Gökçe,1 Metin İshak Öztürk,1 Feriha Ercan,2 Necati Yurdakul,2 Muhammet İhsan Karaman1 Effects of Intensive Cell Phone (Philips Genic 900) Use on the Rat Kidney Tissue Corresponding Author: Orhan Koca, MD Departman of Urology, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Üsküdar, Istan- bul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 414 4502 Fax: +90 216 345 5982 E-mail: drorhankoca@ hotmail.com Received October 2011 Accepted January 2013 Purpose: To investigate effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by cell phones on the rat kidney tissue. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one male Albino rats were divided into 3 groups, each compris- ing 7 rats. Group 1 was exposed to a cell phone in speech mode for 8 hours/day for 20 days and their kidneys were removed. Group 2 was exposed to EMR for 20 days and then their kidneys were removed after an interval of 20 days. Cell phone used in the present study was Philips Genie 900, Results: revealed glomerular damage, dilatation of Bowman’s capsule, formation of large spaces between - verity score was 4.64 ± 1.7 in group 1, 4.50 ± 0.8 in group 2, and 0 in group 3. While there was no P > .05), the mean severity scores of groups 1 P = .001 for each). Conclusion: Considering the damage in rat kidney tissue caused by EMR-emitting cell phones, high-risk individuals should take protective measures. Keywords: kidney, cellular phone, electromagnetic radiation CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR UROLOGY Cellular and Molecular Urology 887Vol. 10 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 |U R O LO G Y J O U R N A L INTRODUCTION Advances in technology have introduced many new devices emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR). These devices include radars, cell phones, radio and televi- sion transmitters, certain devices used in medical and indus- trial practice, high-voltage transmission lines, microwave ovens, and household electrical appliances. Cell phones that have an increasing use in our daily life also emit vary- ing degrees of EMR. Various studies have shown that radia- tion emitted by cell phones or base stations have a negative impact on human health.(1) There are publications in which cancer development, negative effects on reproduction, and development of neurological disorders associated with cell phone use have been reported.(2,3) Furthermore, there are studies suggesting elevated tissue levels of free radicals as- sociated with the cell phone use.(4) - ute and are thereby at high risk of being affected by harmful substances.(5) Generally, radiation emitted by the cell phones operating at 900 MHz that are mostly carried on the belts is mostly absorbed by the kidneys as compared to other organs. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of EMR emitted by the cell phones, which are intensively used in all countries, on the rat kidney tissue in order to predict their possible effects on human kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one adult male Wistar Albino rats were allocated into 3 groups, each comprising 7 rats, and housed in stand- ard cages measuring 40 × 60 cm. Group 1 was exposed to cell phone for 8 hours/day in speech mode and for 16 hours/ day in standby mode for 20 days; their kidneys were then re- moved. Group 2 was exposed to EMR for 20 days, and their kidneys were removed after an interval of 20 days. Group 3 was the control group and the rats were monitored in a stand- ard laboratory environment without any exposure to EMR. The rats were maintained on a 12 hour/12 hour light/dark cycle at 21 °C and 40% to 60% relative humidity, and they were provided food (MBD Experimental Animal Food, Ge- bze, Kocaeli, Turkey) and water ad libitum. In the present study, Philips Genie 900® (Singapore) cell phone was used as a 1800-MHz continuous wave electro- absorption rate (SAR, 1.52 W/kg) on the market. Cell phones phones were left on charge for 24 hours, and 8 hours/day in speech mode and 16 hours/day in standby mode. One of the removed kidneys was prepared for light microscopic exami- nation and the other was prepared for electron microscopic examination. Specimen Preparation for Light Microscopy For light microscopic examination, the kidneys were re- serial alcohol solutions of increasing concentrations, and then cleared with toluene. For general morphological assess- ment, sections approximately 5 m in thickness were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined using an Olympus BX51 photomicroscope. During microscopic examination, tissue sections were examined for the presence of damage of Bowman’s capsule, glomeruli, and the proximal and distal - tion. Of these three criteria, each was scored as absent (0), minimal (1), moderate (2), and severe (3). At least 5 micro- - sessed by two separate investigators (N.Y. and F.E.) and the two investigators. The total score ranged from 0 to 9. Both of two investigators (N.Y. and F.E.) were blinded to each of three groups. Specimen Preparation for Transmission Electron Micros- copy For transmission electron microscopic examination, the kid- - ated in a 1% phosphate-buffered osmium tetroxide solution. After dehydration in serial alcohol solutions of increasing concentrations, the samples were embedded in Epon 812 and polymerized at 60 °C in an oven. Using a Jeol 1200 TEM (Tokyo, Japan) scanning electron microscope, tests were performed on thin sections nearly 60 nm in thickness, which were obtained and stained with uranyl acetate and lead cit- Effects of Cell Phone on Kidney | Koca et al 888 | rate. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. A P value of less than .05 RESULTS Light microscopic examination of the kidney tissues ob- tained from group 1 revealed glomerular damage, dilatation of Bowman’s capsule, formation of large spaces between the - - age, dilatation of Bowman’s capsule, formation of large spac- es between the tubules, and tubular damage were observed in group 2 (Figure 2A). Control group was observed to have a regular morphology of renal parenchyma (Figure 3A). The mean severity score was 4.64 ± 1.7 in group 1, 4.50 ± 0.8 difference between group 1 and group 2 (P = .86), the mean than that of the control group (P = .001 for each). Electron microscopic examination of the kidney tissues in group 1 revealed that podocytes had a regular appearance, whereas irregular thickening of the basement membrane, ir- regularity of the capillary endothelium (Figure 1B), and large dissociation of the junctions between the tubule cells (Fig- ure 1C) were observed. While podocytes and pedicels had relatively regular morphological appearance in group 2, local irregularities of the capillary endothelium, thickening of the basement membrane (Figure 2B), and large dissociation of the junctions between the tubules were observed (Figure 2C). In the control group, podocytes, pedicels, basement mem- brane (Figure 3B), and tubules (Figure 3C) were observed to have a regular morphology. DISCUSSION Advances in science and technology have introduced many newly developed devices. Such technological develop- they have certain disadvantages that threaten human health. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by many devices that are used in everyday life affects many living kinds. Cell phones Figure 1. Group 1. Dilatation of Bowman’s capsule and glomeru- lar damage (*), formation of large spaces between the tubules (arrow), tubular damage (arrow head), perivascular edema and inflammatory cell infiltration (>) (A) Irregular thickening of the basement membrane (*), local irregularities of pedicels; (B) Dis- sociation of the junctions between the tubular cells (*); and (C) A: Hematoxylin and eosin staining, original magnification: ×100, small picture: ×200; B & C: Electron micrograph. Cellular and Molecular Urology C 889Vol. 10 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 |U R O LO G Y J O U R N A L are the leading devices that emit EMR and have an increas- ing use worldwide.(6) The effects of EMR emitted by these devices and base stations on human body have still not been Radiofrequency waves emitted by cell phones are thought to cause detrimental effects at cellular and molecular level. (7) Previous studies have reported that radiofrequency waves emitted particularly by the third generation cell phones might have an effect on the immunological status, nervous system, hematological status, cardiac functions, urinary system, nor- mal growth and development, and genetic.(6,8,9) Electromag- netic radiation emitting from base station and cell phones have destructive effects on tissues in two ways. First, thermal effects occur via increase in corporeal heat by electromagnet- ic energy, which is absorbed by body. Second, non-thermal effects appear as change in brain functions and sleep, atten- (10) Along with this, EMR may also lead to DNA damage.(11) This information suggests the need for further research on the effects of cell phones and base stations on human health. Studies on the effects of EMR emitted by cell phones have yielded controversial results. There are studies in the lit- erature reporting that cell phones do not have an effect on blood-brain barrier, testes, sperm morphology, seminiferous tubules of the rats, and Leydig cells and do not cause a sig- (12-15) Similarly, in comprehensive studies conducted in the USA and Denmark, it was reported that cell phone use was not associated with increased risk of brain tumor.(16,17) There are also studies suggesting that EMR emitted by and colleagues observed that EMR led to histopathological changes in mouse testes and reported that chronic long-term exposure to EMR might affect amount of epididymal sperm, sperm morphology, and weight and morphology of the testes and epididymis.(18) There are also studies reporting that EMR emitted by cell phones leads to a change in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and rectal temperature.(13) It should be kept in mind that high levels of EMR used in the studies may lead to testicular heating; thus, unfavorable effects observed in the studies may result from increased temperature. Close proximity of cell phones to the kidneys as well as Figure 2. Group 2. Dilatation of Bowman’s capsule and glomeru- lar damage (*), formation of large spaces between the tubules (arrow), and tubular damage (arrow head) (A) Local thickening of the basement membrane and mild irregularity of the capillary wall (arrow); (B) Dissociation of the junctions between the tubular cells (*); and (C) A: Hematoxylin and eosin staining, original mag- nification: ×100, small picture: ×200; B & C: Electron micrograph. Effects of Cell Phone on Kidney | Koca et al C B 890 | higher risk of the kidneys to be affected by external factors indicates the need for research on the effects of cell phones on the kidney health. In their study, Özgüner and associates showed the formation of free radicals associated with cell phone use and the negative effects of these free radicals on the rat kidney tissue.(1) Devrim and coworkers reported that EMR led to an increase in the levels of oxygen radicals in the kidney tissue.(19) In our study, negative effects of EMR on the kidney tissue were shown by light and electron microscopic examination. This tissue damage was thought to be associ- ated with oxygen radicals. Studies have indicated that the kidneys are radiation-sensi- tive organs.(20) We showed tubular damage in our study. Fur- thermore, on electron microscopic examination, we observed dissociation of the junctions between the tubules. Tubular damage plays an important role in all causes of acute renal failure. In addition, observation of glomerular damage indi- cates the severity of this damage. Irregularity of the capillary endothelium observed on electron microscopic examination indicates the severity of glomerular damage. necessitate large-scale measures to be taken for cell phone use. Reducing cell phone usage intervals, using protective clothes, and keeping cell phone devices away from body as far as possible may be the protective measures. The limitations of the present study include the inability to higher exposures of rats to EMR compared with EMR dos- ages produced by usual daily cell phone usage, and the lack of molecular research accompanying histological changes. CONCLUSION In our study, we showed negative effects of EMR on the rat kidney tissue. Considering these detrimental effects, indi- viduals at high risk should take preventive measures. If these to individual measures, legal regulations should be enacted in order to minimize the risk. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None declared. Figure 3. Control group. Glomerular and tubular structure of reg- ular morphology (A) Podocytes, pedicels, and basement mem- brane; (B) and tubular structure; and (C) that have a regular mor- phology. A: Hematoxylin-eosin staining, original magnification: ×100; B & C: Electron micrograph. Cellular and Molecular Urology 891Vol. 10 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 |U R O LO G Y J O U R N A L 13. Dasdag S, Ketani MA, Akdag Z, et al. Whole-body micro- wave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats. Urol Res. 1999;27:219-23. 14. Forgacs Z, Somosy Z, Kubinyi G, et al. Effect of whole-body 1800MHz GSM-like microwave exposure on testicular steroidogenesis and histology in mice. Reprod Toxicol. 2006;22:111-7. 15. Celik O, Hascalik S. Effect of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on fetal heart rate patterns. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004;112:55-6. 16. Johansen C, Boice J, Jr., McLaughlin J, Olsen J. Cellular telephones and cancer--a nationwide cohort study in Den- mark. 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