Vitamin C Improves Passive Avoidance Learning and Memory in Rats Exposed to Radiofrequency Waves Generated by a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Antenna Model

Abstract

Background: Hazardous health effects of the exposure to radiofrequency waves (RFWs) have become of great public concern and impaired memory has been reported following the exposure to electromagnetic radiations. Objectives: As the deleterious effects of the RFW on passive avoidance learning and memory had already been reported, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of vitamin C on this activity. Methods: 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats (230 ± 20 g) were divided randomly into four groups as: control, control-exposed (exposed to 900 MHz RFW), control treatment (without exposure to RFW receiving 250 mg/kg of body weight/day L-ascorbic acid by gavage), and treatment (exposed to 900MHz RFW receiving the abovementioned dose of vitamin C) groups. The exposure was performed for 30 consecutive days (4 h/day). Learning and memory were evaluated in the last day by the shuttle box and expressed as the period of remaining within the light area; this time was called “light time”. Results: The exposure to RFW significantly decreased the duration of light time in the control-exposed group compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). In the fourth group, vitamin C significantly increased the light time compared to the control-exposed group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between control, control treatment, and treatment groups. Conclusions: Exposure to RFW significantly altered the passive avoidance behavior. Vitamin C probably due to its antioxidant effects has facilitative results on the acquisition and retrieval activities of passive avoidance learning and memory in rats.