The assessment of function, histopathological changes, and oxidative stress in liver tissue due to ionizing and non-ionizing radiations

Compared to past decades, humans are exposed to rapidly increasing levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiations (RF-EMF). Despite numerous studies, the biological effects of human exposure to different levels of RF-EMF are not fully understood, yet. This study aimed to evaluate the bioeffects of exposure to "900/1800 MHz" and “2.4 GHz" RF-EMFs, and x-rays as well as their potential for inducing simple additive, adaptive, or synergistic effects.

120 Wistar rats were randomly divided into ten groups of 12 each. The rats were exposed to either sham, EMF, 10 cGy, and 8 Gy x-rays or a combination of these exposures. The levels of liver enzymes in serum samples by an auto-analyzer. Moreover, the histopathological changes and the levels of Malondialdehyde, Nitric oxide, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total thiols, and protein carbonyl assays were measured.

Among the markers of liver function, GGT was not associated with irradiation but, AST, ALT, and ALP showed some levels of association. Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl assays after 8 Gy irradiation were increased, but pre-exposure to RF-EMF could modulate their changes. At the cellular level, the frequency of lobular inflammation was associated with our intervention types.

the exposure to both ionizing and non-ionizing radiations could alter some liver function tests. A short term pre-exposure to RF-EMF before exposure to an 8 Gy challenging dose of x-rays caused the alterations in oxidative stress markers and liver function tests, which indicate the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the process of adaptive response.