Melatonin can help protect against Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in the lens of rats. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effects of melatonin on Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in lens of rats.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014 Jan ;62(1):12-5. PMID: 24492496
Levent Tök
INTRODUCTION: Melatonin has been considered a potent antioxidant that detoxifies a variety of reactive oxygen species in many pathophysiological states of eye. The present study was designed to determine the effects of Wi-Fi exposure on the lens oxidant, antioxidant redox systems, as well as the possible protective effects of melatonin on the lens injury induced by electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were used in the current study and they were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: First and second groups were cage-control and sham-control rats. Rats in third group were exposed to Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) for duration of 60 min/day for 30 days. As in the third group, the fourth group was treated with melatonin. The one-hour exposure to irradiation in second, third and fourth took place at noon each day.
RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation levels in the lens were slightly higher in third (Wi-Fi) group than in cage and sham control groups although their concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by melatonin supplementation. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Wi-Fi group than in cage and sham control groups although GSH-Px (P<0.01) and reduced glutathione (P<0.05) values were significantly higher in Wi-Fi + melatonin group than in Wi-Fi group.
CONCLUSIONS: There are poor oxidative toxic effects of one hour of Wi-Fi exposure on the lens in the animals. However, melatonin supplementation in the lens seems to have protective effects on the oxidant system by modulation of GSH-Px activity.