Effects of 2600 MHZ radiofrequency radiation exposure and exogenous melatonin on rat brain tissue

Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is located in the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum and it is emitted from many sources such as mobile phones, radars, base stations, Wi-Fi modems, microwave ovens. Although it does not have ionizing energy, Radiofrequency (RF) fields may have adverse effects on human health. Technological developments increase our RFR exposure day by day, concerns about the biological effects of RF fields also increasing. Studies on the biological effects of RFR exposure have conflicting results, but comparing the results of these studies is difficult due to differences in experimental designs. Therefore, new studies in this area are of great importance for understanding the biological effects of RFR. In this thesis study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of 2600 MHz RFR exposure for 30 days and the possible protective effect of melatonin on rat brain tissue biochemistry and histology. 36 rats randomly divided into 6 groups: control, melatonin, sham, sham melatonin, RFR and RFR melatonin. 2600 MHz RFR exposure (30 min / day, 5 days / week, gray matter SAR: 0,44 W / kg for 1 g and gray matter SAR: 0,295 for 10 g) and subcutaneous melatonin injection (7 days / week, 10mg / kg ) was applied for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, brain tissue samples were taken. Biochemical analyzes were performed in the left hemisphere, and histological analyzes were performed in the right hemisphere. In this study, radiofrequency radiation decreased GSH, GSH Px, SOD levels and increased MPO, MDA and NOx levels (p <0,05) in the brain tissue of rats. It was observed that radiofrequency radiation exposure caused structural deterioration and increased apoptosis in the brain tissue. On the other hand, exogenous melatonin administration normalized these effects. In this thesis, it was showed that 30 minutes of RFR exposure per day for 30 days can have oxidative, apoptotic and degenerative effects on brain tissue and RF fields may be a risk factor for brain tumor. Considering the findings of this study, RFR exposure should be limited as much as possible, and melatonin supplementation may be recommended as protection against RFR effects.