Investi̇gati̇on of protei̇n oxi̇dati̇on, oxi̇dati̇ve stress parameters and oxi̇dati̇ve dna damage i̇n placentas and cord blood of pregnant women who were exposed to radi̇ofrequency radi̇ati̇on

Investigation of protein oxidation, oxidative stress parameters and oxidative DNA damage in placentas and cord blood of pregnant women who were exposed to radiofrequency radiation Especially in the last decade, electromagnetic pollution has become a world-widely significant environmental problem. In today's world, mobile phones and other wireless communication resources are important reasons of the rapid increase in electromagnetic pollution. Research results on one of the daily indispensable tools, mobile phones, emission of radiofrequency radiation's (RFR) effect on health, more and more increases the concern of general public. Investigations on the biological effects of RF exposure from mobile phones have resulted in the classification of these radiations as "possible carcinogenic, i.e. group 2B" by World Health Organization. Pregnant women and fetuses are the most vulnerable groups to be affected from RFR-associated various health problems, especially brain tumors. Research shows that babies in the mother's womb are vulnerable to RFRs. The purpose of this study is to show whether pregnant women or their babies, which are exposed to RFRs emitted from mobile phones, are under the risk of health problems. Almost all of the research done so far on RFR exposure during pregnancy is based on animal studies. Most of the research results claims that pregnant women and the fetuses may be negatively affected by RFRs. The presence of research with contradicted results makes this topic controversial. The lack of human studies on the subject is causes these controversies to continue and therefore results in both time and economic loss. If similar negative results as animal studies will be obtained, the rules to be followed during pregnancy will be developed. This has a vital importance for both mother's and baby's health. In addition, clarification of this subject will provide outstanding contributions to scientific world and the healthcare economy. In this study, mobile phone originated RFR effects were investigated in 149 pregnant women and their infants. Based on their daily mobile phone usage periods, pregnant women were divided into four groups as: 2-15 minutes (n: 39), 15-60 minutes (n: 37), more than 60 minutes (n: 36), and control group composed of no mobile phone users (n: 37). In the placentas of women who talked on mobile phone in different periods of time and in the cord blood of their babies were examined based on oxidative stress parameters of, protein carbonyl (PCO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant level (TOS), total antioxidant level (TAS), oxidative stress index , 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Additionally, plasma samples obtained from the cord blood were analysed via Comet assay for the evaluation of the DNA damage. Also, the statistical determination of the effects of RFRs were calculated by using the questionnaires performed on mothers and the data from clinical evaluations of the newborns. The results of the Comet analysis showed that there was a direct relationship between tail intensity and tail moments and duration of speech. Statistical analyses revealed that both the tail intensity and the tail moment values were higher in women who were talking on the mobile phone for more than 60 minutes (group 4) than in the control group (p < 0.001). It was observed that 8-OHDG, MDA, PCO, TOS, OSI (oxidative stress findings) values in cord blood and placental tissue samples were directly proportional to mobile phone usage time and inversely proportional to TAS values. For women who spoke more than 60 minutes, all of the oxidative stress findings in their babies' cord blood were found to be higher than the control and second group's values (2-15 minutes) (p < 0.001). 3. (15-60 min) and 4. (>60 minutes) groups' placentas oxidative stress parameters were found to be higher compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The cord blood Comet assay showed no statistically significant difference between the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (p > 0.05). Although there was no statistically significant difference, the tail moment and tail density were less in the 1800 MHz group. No frequency dependent change was observed in blood and placental oxidative stress findings (p > 0.05). The results of questionnaires and newborn clinical examinations showed that the number of children in the fourth group was lower. There was a relationship between the birth weights of the babies and the timing of their first speech (p = 0.044). The birth weights of the fourth group were found to be lower than the control group and second group. A relation was observed between the timing of their first speech and the week of birth (p = only 0.014). In the fourth group, the preterm birth rate was 50%, while in the other groups it was 70.3% (control), 84.6% (group 2) and 75.7% (group 3). Interestingly, the preeclampsia rate was lower in the fourth group (p=0.030). It was observed that there is a relationship between the timing of their first speech and the number of miscarriage (p = 0.026). For example, the number of miscarriage in fourth group was statistically higher than the control group. In addition, in the fourth group, it was found that the rate of URI (upper respiratory tract infection) was higher than other groups during pregnancy (p = 0.014). With the increase of the timing of their first speech, it was found that the speech frequency was also increased (p < 0.001). For example, the rate of 4 or more speakers per day is higher in groups 3 and 4. In other findings from the questionnaires and newborn clinical examinations (maternal age, father's age, mothers' weight gain during pregnancy, number of doctor visits during pregnancy, head circumference, height, phone SAR value, relativity level, parental occupation, parental education, baby's birth weight classification according to week of birth, gender of baby, type of birth, fatal distress, presence of meconium,toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex and HIV presence, placental disease, systemic diseases, condition of amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancy, stillbirth, gestational vitamin usage, ferritine, vitamin D, folic acid, radiation exposure, urinary tract infection, vaginitis, carioamnionitis, smoking and alcohol consumption, amount of daily smoked cigarettes, the presence of base station in neighbourhood, dizziness, restlessness, loss of concentration, memory loss, numbness, headache, ear ache, facial burning), groups showed no statistically significant difference. Overall evaluation of the obtained data showed that RFRs emitted from mobile phones lead to a decrease in TAS level and an increase in TOS level, thereby increasing oxidative stress in the mother and the fetus. It was also found that RFRs triggered the formation of oxidative damage markers such as 8-OHDG, MDA, PCO. In addition to the increase in 8-OHDG indicating the oxidative damage in the DNA, Comet findings also showed that RFRs caused DNA single chain breakages. In conclusion, RFR exposure time has been found to correlate with oxidative and DNA damage, low birth weight, preterm delivery, miscarriage and weakening of the immune system in pregnancy. This molecular human study, which we believe is the first study in the literature, offers major contributions to clarify the controversy about the subject. However, further human studies are needed.