Selenium and L-carnitine reduce oxidative stress in the heart of rat induced by 2.45-GHz radiation from wireless devices.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of selenium and L-carnitine on oxidative stress induced by 2.45-GHz radiation in heart of rat. For this purpose, 30 male Wistar Albino rats were equally divided into five groups namely controls, sham controls, radiation-exposed rats, radiation-exposed rats treated with intraperitoneal injections of sodium selenite at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day, and radiation-exposed rats treated with intraperitoneal injections of L-carnitine at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day. Except for the controls and sham controls, the animals were exposed to 2.45-GHz radiation during 60 min/day for 28 days. The lipid peroxidation (LP) levels were higher in the radiation-exposed groups than in the control and sham control groups. The lipid peroxidation level in the irradiated animals treated with selenium and L-carnitine was lower than in those that were only exposed to 2.45-GHz radiation. The concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E were lower in the irradiated-only group relative to control and sham control groups, but their concentrations were increased in the groups treated with selenium- and L-carnitine. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was higher in the selenium-treated group than in the animals that were irradiated but received no treatment. The erythrocyte-reduced glutathione and ß-carotene concentrations did not change in any of the groups. In conclusion, 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation caused oxidative stress in the heart of rats. There is an apparent protective effect of selenium and L-carnitine by inhibition of free radical formation and support of the antioxidant redox system.