The effect of caffeine on neuron number of rats exposed to 900-MHz electromagnetic field

Abstract

IntroductionRecently, an increasing number of studies have investigated whether an electromagnetic field (EMF) has harmful effects on human health. The number of masses influenced by the radiofrequency waves radiated by base stations and cell phones increases as time goes by. In particular cell phones, which provide useful services to humans, are thought to have many harmful effects (1). The effects of EMF on the tissues and organs of human beings are frequently investigated (2). The most outstanding of these are studies that present the effects of EMF on central nervous system diseases and brain functions.Radio waves that occupy the frequency range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz are forms of electromagnetic energy. The devices working in this frequency range form an impact area called radiofrequency EMF. Cell phones operate in the frequency range of 800-2600 MHz. The third-and fourthgeneration mobile phones use microwaves of 1800-2100 MHz whereas second-generation phones operate at 900 MHz, which is still the most commonly used mobile communication system (3).Since developing tissues and organs are very sensitive to harmful agents, the potential harmful effects of microwaves on children have been assessed in the agenda of the World Health Organization since 2006, and continuous studies are being conducted on the subject (4). A wide-scale casecontrol study conducted by two different research centers has examined the relationship between brain tumors and cell phone use. One of these studies found a significant association between cell phone use and malignant brain tumors (4). On the other hand, another study reported that cell phone use of 10 years did not increase the risk for acoustic neuroma, and it was also mentioned that 10year cell phone use was not long enough for neuroma development. (5). Exposure to 900-MHz EMF was shown to decrease the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum (3).Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), is a psychostimulant consumed in great amounts in Western countries (6). This purine alkaloid, which has a formula of C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 , is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, various soft drinks, and cacao. In addition, it is naturally found in the fruits, seeds, and leaves of many plants (7).Although it changes from person to person, people generally consume some caffeine every day without even realizing it. A brewed coffee drink of 437 mL contains an average of 188 mg of caffeine. The caffeine concentration in coffee beans can differ between 0.01 mg/g and 19.9 mg/g.