Morphometrical and Morphological Alterations of Human Leukocytes Exposed to 1.8 GHz Electromagnetic Radiations: In Vitro Protective Effects Induced by Polyphenols

Abstract

Background: Our recent findings have demonstrated that electromagnetic radiations (EMR) (1.8 GHz radiofrequency) are able to in vitro induce morphometrical and morphological modifications of human leukocytes from normal donors.

Methods: In view of the evidence that polyphenols exert many beneficial effects on plants, animals and humans, leukocytes from human peripheral blood were pre-treated for 1 h with two polyphenol preparations from red grape before EMR exposure (1.8 GHz).

Results: Our data will show that polyphenol pre-treatment reverts to normality the morphology of irradiated leukocytes in comparison to irradiated cells only. Conversely, leukocyte morphometry seems to be not affected by this treatment.

Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate that polyphenols are also able to normalize leukocyte morphology per se altered before as well as after irradiation. Finally, a working hypothesis aimed at clarifying the protective mechanisms exerted by polyphenols on irradiated leukocytes will be illustrated.

Keywords: Electromagnetic radiations; leukocytes; morphology; morphometry; polyphenols..