Protective role of sesame oil against mobile base station-induced oxidative stress

The present study was undertaken to shed the light on the environmental threats associated with the wireless revolution and the health hazards associated with exposure to mobile base station (MBS). Besides, studying the possible protective role of sesame oil (SO) as an antioxidant against oxidative stress. Therefore, the present work was designed to study the effect of chronic exposure to electromagnetic radiations (EMR), produced by a cellular tower for mobile phone and the possible protective role of sesame oil on glutathione reductase (GSH-Rx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total testosterone and lipid profile (total cholesterol (Tch), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in male albino rats. Rats were arranged into four groups: the control unexposed, the exposed untreated and the exposed treated groups (1.5 and 3 ml oil). Exposed groups were subjected to electromagnetic field at frequency of 900 MHz, for 24 h/day for 8 weeks, at the same time both treated groups were supplied with oral injection of sesame oil three times per week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained for determination of the above mentioned variables in serum. The results obtained revealed that TG and testosterone were raised significantly over control in all groups and the significant increase in oil groups occurred in dose dependent manner. SOD and CAT activities were reduced significantly in exposed rats than control and increased significantly in sesame oil groups as the dose of oil increased. Total cholesterol only showed remarkable reduction in the group treated with 3 ml sesame oil. Also, in this latter group, significant elevation of GSH-Rx was recorded. Changes in serum HDL-c and LDL-c followed an opposite trend in exposed and sesame oil groups reflecting their affectation by EMR or sesame oil. In conclusion, all results of the current study proved that sesame oil can be used as an edible oil to attenuate the oxidative stress which could be yielded as a result of chronic exposure to EMR.