Effects of silica-rich water on systemic and peritoneal inflammation in rats exposed to chronic low-level (900-MHz) microwave radiation

Gen Physiol Biophys. 2019 Jan;38(1):83-90. doi: 10.4149/gpb_2018032. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Abstract

Immunomodulating effect of silica-rich water represents a novel field for research, especially regarding its features toward environmental pollutants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of silica-rich water intake on systemic and peritoneal inflammation in rats that were chronically exposed to the low-level microwave (MW) radiation from mobile phones. Wistar Albino rats were exposed to 900 MHz MW radiation for 3 months. The four-treatment model involved rats with standard water (SW) or experimental silica-rich water intake (EW). Peritoneal macrophages (PMs) were harvested using peritoneal lavage and divided into non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated subgroups. The MW-exposed rats with silica-rich water (MW+EW) had lower serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) levels, but higher IL-10 levels, than MW+SW rats (p < 0.05). The higher TNF-α production by non-stimulated MW exposed PMs was ameliorated by the silica-rich water (p < 0.01). The MW exposition suppressed LPS potential for TNF-α synthesis in both water type groups, with greater suppression in animals that took standard water. Our results show the modulating effect of silica-rich water toward MW-induced systemic and peritoneal inflammation, which reflects the water ability to shape monocyte plasticity, thereby altering the balance between their proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

MeSH terms

  • Albinism, Oculocutaneous
  • Animals
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / etiology*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Microwaves / adverse effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Silicon Dioxide / pharmacology*
  • Silicon Dioxide / therapeutic use
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Water
  • Silicon Dioxide

Supplementary concepts

  • Oculocutaneous albinism type 2