The study of Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure Effects on P53 and 21 Genes Expression in Hippocampus of Balb/C Mice Brain

Backgrounds and objectives: Several studies demonstrate strong links between electromagnetic wave radiation exposure and adverse health effects. Given the functional importance of the hippocampus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of electromagnetic waves radiated by mobile phones on hippocampal expression of P21 and P53 genes as regulators of cellular apoptosis. Materials and Method: Forty-eight male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=8 each). Animals in the four experimental groups were respectively exposed for 30 minutes, one, two and four hours to electromagnetic waves radiated twice a day at the frequencies of 900 and 1800 megahertz for a period of 30 consecutive days. One of experimental group was radiated for 4 hours once a day, while the control group remains constant during the experiment. The hippocampal expression of P21and P53 mRNAs were evaluated using Real-Time PCR. Results: There were not differences between the mean expression level of P53 and P21 genes of the exposure groups compared to those of the control group (P>0.05). In comparison, the expression levels of P53 and P21 genes in the hippocampus of the BALB/c mice showed a significant difference between the groups of two hours radiation twice a day and four hours radiation once a day (P<0.05). The ratio expression of P53 and P21 genes was increased to greater than one (P53/P21>1) in all experimental groups compared to controls, except for the group with 2 hours twice a day exposure. However, there was not significant differences between the expression level of P53 and P21 genes among the experimental groups using paired t test (p>0.05). Conclusion: In fact, radio frequencies of mobile phones damage brain cells depending on the duration of the conversation (the duration of radiation). While further investigation is recommended, our results revealed that the mobile phone radiation had no effect on the hippocampus expression of P53 and P21 genes in the mice.