Changes in antioxidant capacity of blood due to mutual action of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) and opioid drug (tramadol) in animal model of persistent inflammatory state.

BACKGROUND The biological effects and health implications of electromagnetic field (EMF) associated with cellular mobile telephones and related wireless systems and devices have become a focus of international scientific interest and world-wide public concern. It has also been proved that EMF influences the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in different tissues. METHODS Experiments were performed in healthy rats and in rats with persistent inflammatory state induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injection, which was given 24 h before EMF exposure and drug application. Rats were injected with CFA or the same volume of paraffin oil into the plantar surface of the left hind paw. Animals were exposed to the far-field range of an antenna at 1800 MHz with the additional modulation which was identical to that generated by mobile phone GSM 1800. Rats were given 15 min exposure, or were sham-exposed with no voltage applied to the field generator in control groups. Immediately before EMF exposure, rats were injected intraperitoneally with tramadol in the 20 mg/kg dose or vehicle in the 1 ml/kg volume. RESULTS Our study revealed that single EMF exposure in 1800 MHz frequency significantly reduced antioxidant capacity both in healthy animals and those with paw inflammation. A certain synergic mode of action between applied electromagnetic fields and administered tramadol in rats treated with CFA was observed. CONCLUSIONS The aim of the study was to examine the possible, parallel/combined effects of electromagnetic radiation, artificially induced inflammation and a centrally-acting synthetic opioid analgesic drug, tramadol, (used in the treatment of severe pain) on the antioxidant capacity of blood of rats. The antioxidant capacity of blood of healthy rats was higher than that of rats which received only tramadol and were exposed to electromagnetic fields.