Antioxidant Profile of Saliva among Young Men Using Mobile Phones

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a mechanism of potential health effects that may result from exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). A cross sectional study was designed to investigate and analyze the biochemical effects of RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones at 835 MHz and 1900 MHz bands on some biochemical markers: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), albumin, amylase, uric acid and cytochrome C in the saliva of young men (18-37 years; average age 27.74 ± 8.08). EMF caused a significant increase in the activity of SOD but a significant decrease in that of amylase in the saliva of people after using mobile phones. The increases in the activity of cytochrome C and the concentrations of albumin and uric acid were not significant. A true correlation between the salivary antioxidant biomarkers and the number of calling min., rather than the number of calls, was found. These oxidative changes may result in metabolic changes in the living cells up to oncogenic transformation. Thus, based on these findings, it is recommended that a long-term/or excessive use of mobile phones, especially by young individuals, should be avoided. This goal can be accomplished by telehealth technology promotion activities targeting the more sensitive ages, children and adolescents, since their developing brains absorb more EMR from a mobile phone. Such activities include: group discussions, public presentations and mass communication through available electronic and print media sources.