Nitric oxide level in the nasal and sinus mucosa after exposure to electromagnetic field

Yariktas M, Doner F, Ozguner F, Gokalp O, Dogru H, Delibas N

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 132(5):713-716, 2005

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in nitric oxide (NO) level in the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa after exposure radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped as follows:

• EMF group (group I; n, 10),
• EMF group in which melatonin received (group II; n, 10) and
• the control (sham operated) group (group III; n, 10).

Groups I and II were exposed to a 900 MHz. Oral melatonin was given in group II. Control rats (group III) were also placed in the tube as the exposure groups, but without exposure to EMF. At the end of 2 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa dissected. NO was measured in nasal and paranasal mucosa.

RESULTS: The nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa NO levels of group I were significantly higher than those of the control group (group III) ( P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between group II and the control group (group III) regarding NO output ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Exposure to EMF released by mobile phones (900 MHz) increase NO levels in the sinus and nasal mucosa.

SIGNIFICANCE: Increased NO levels may act as a defense mechanism and presumably related to tissue damage. In addition, melatonin may have beneficial effect to prevent these changes in the mucosa.