The possible protective role of vitamin C on rat parotid gland exposed to mobile phone radiation

Abstract

The widespread use of cell phones recently has raised interest in studying the safety of exposure to their electromagnetic waves. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin C (Vit. C) against the pathological effects produced by the relatively long duration of third-generation mobile phone radiation exposure in the parotid gland of male white albino rats. Also, to detect the expected recovery after 4 weeks of withdrawal by immunohistochemical, histopathological, and biomolecular studies. Forty male adult white albino rats were used in this study, equally divided into 4 groups of 10 rats in each group: Group I served as the sham control group; Group II was exposed to radiation by phone generator (2100 MHz) for 3 hours/day for 5 days/week for 6 weeks; and Group III was exposed to phone radiation similar to Group II and supplemented with Vit. C at a dose of 40 mg/kg for 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Group IV (withdrawal) was exposed to radiation as Group II, then left without intervention for 4 weeks. Histological and immunohistochemical, and the biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress within parotid tissue (malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), salivary total protein, and amylase activity). qRT-PCR for TGF, MMP2, NFKB, and TNF gene expression was performed in this study. Histological examination of the parotid gland in group II showed many histological changes, such as degenerative changes in the duct system, epithelial lining of the acini, interstitial space which. different collagen fibers and polysaccharides, blood capillaries, and nuclei. Also, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Ki-67 were aggravated. The statistical analysis showed that treating rats with vitamin C improved the parotid glands’ ability to secrete amylase activity and total protein. It also fixed the antioxidant. Inflammatory cytokines TNF, NFKB, and fibrotic marker TGF and MMP2 gene expression were significantly upregulated in the exposed group, which was restored nearly to the control group after Vit C supplementation. Long-term exposure to mobile radiation affected. the. secretory function and the histological structure of the parotid tissues. Vitamin C supplementation ameliorated these pathological effects.