Effects of whole body microwave exposure on the rat brain contents of biogenic amines

Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Neurotransmitters in the Brain

With the rapid development of electronic information in the past 30 years, technical achievements based on electromagnetism have been widely used in various fields pertaining to human production and life. Consequently, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has become a substantial new pollution source in modern civilization. The biological effects of EMR have attracted considerable attention worldwide. The possible interaction of EMR with human organs, especially the brain, is currently where the most attention is focused. Many studies have shown that the nervous system is an important target organ system sensitive to EMR. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the neurobiological effects of EMR, including the metabolism and transport of neurotransmitters. As messengers of synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters play critical roles in cognitive and emotional behavior. Here, the effects of EMR on the metabolism and receptors of neurotransmitters in the brain are summarized.

Effects of electromagnetic fields from mobile phones on depression and anxiety after titanium mesh cranioplasty among patients with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) from mobile phones on depression and anxiety after titanium mesh cranioplasty among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty patients with TBI and titanium mesh cranioplasty who were hospitalized from 2008-2012 were recruited in this study. From November-December 2012, the relevant information was surveyed including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, injury-related information, RF-EMF exposure of mobile phone, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Associations of RF-EMFs exposure after titanium mesh cranioplasty with SAS and SDS were respectively estimated by multivariable linear regression models.

RESULTS

The patients with long durations of mobile phone use (β = -6.6, p = 0.002), long individual call duration (β = -5.3, p = 0.012), more daily calls (β = -3.6, p = 0.027), invariably answer call immediately (β = -3.9, p = 0.022) and high comprehensive exposure level (β = -4.8, p = 0.003) had a lower score of depression compared with those without a mobile phone. Moreover, an ipsilateral and contralateral answering phone enhanced the protective effect on depression. Individuals with a long duration of mobile phone use had a lower score of anxiety (β = -4.2, p = 0.008), while those with a bilateral answering phone had higher anxiety (β = 3.9, p = 0.012) in comparison to those without a mobile phone.

CONCLUSION

RF-EMFs after cranioplasty were significantly associated with the lower risk of depression and anxiety status among patients with TBI. Chronic and frequent RF-EMFs exposure may improve psychiatric disorders among patients with TBI.

Spatial learning, monoamines and oxidative stress in rats exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field in combination with iron overload

The increasing use of mobile phone technology over the last decade raises concerns about the impact of high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on health. More recently, a link between EMF, iron overload in the brain and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases has been suggested. Co-exposure to EMF and brain iron overload may have a greater impact on brain tissues and cognitive processes than each treatment by itself. To examine this hypothesis, Long-Evans rats submitted to 900 MHz exposure or combined 900 MHz EMF and iron overload treatments were tested in various spatial learning tasks (navigation task in the Morris water maze, working memory task in the radial-arm maze, and object exploration task involving spatial and non spatial processing). Biogenic monoamines and metabolites (dopamine, serotonin) and oxidative stress were measured. Rats exposed to EMF were impaired in the object exploration task but not in the navigation and working memory tasks. They also showed alterations of monoamine content in several brain areas but mainly in the hippocampus. Rats that received combined treatment did not show greater behavioral and neurochemical deficits than EMF-exposed rats. None of the two treatments produced global oxidative stress. These results show that there is an impact of EMF on the brain and cognitive processes but this impact is revealed only in a task exploiting spontaneous exploratory activity. In contrast, there are no synergistic effects between EMF and a high content of iron in the brain.

The effects of single and repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency fields on c-Fos protein expression in the paraventricular nucleus of rat hypothalamus

This study investigated the effects of microwave radiation on the PVN of the hypothalamus, extracted from rat brains. Expression of c-Fos was used to study the pattern of cellular activation in rats exposed once or repeatedly (ten times in 2 weeks) to 2.45 GHz radiation in a GTEM cell. The power intensities used were 3 and 12 W and the Finite Difference Time Domain calculation was used to determine the specific absorption rate (SAR). High SAR triggered an increase of the c-Fos marker 90 min or 24 h after radiation, and low SAR resulted in c-Fos counts higher than in control rats after 24 h. Repeated irradiation at 3 W increased cellular activation of PVN by more than 100% compared to animals subjected to acute irradiation and to repeated non-radiated repeated session control animals. The results suggest that PVN is sensitive to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at non-thermal SAR levels.

GFAP expression in the rat brain following sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field signal

PURPOSE

The rapid development and expansion of mobile communications contributes to the general debate on the effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on the nervous system. This study aims at measuring the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in 48 rat brains to evaluate reactive astrocytosis, three and 10 days after long-term head-only sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) signal, in male rats.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for 45 min/day at a brain-averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) = 1.5 W/kg or 15 min/day at a SAR = 6 W/kg for five days per week during an eight-week period. GFAP expression was measured by the immunocytochemistry method in the following rat brain areas: Prefrontal cortex, cerebellar cortex, dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, lateral globus pallidus of the striatum, and the caudate putamen.

RESULTS

Compared to the sham-treated rats, those exposed to the sub-chronic GSM (Global System for mobile communications) signal at 1.5 or 6 W/kg showed an increase in GFAP levels in the different brain areas, three and ten days after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that sub-chronic exposures to a 900 MHz EMF signal for two months could adversely affect rat brain (sign of a potential gliosis).

The action of pulse-modulated GSM radiation increases regional changes in brain activity and c-Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas in a rat model of picrotoxin-induced seizure proneness

The action of the pulse-modulated GSM radiofrequency of mobile phones has been suggested as a physical phenomenon that might have biological effects on the mammalian central nervous system. In the present study, GSM-exposed picrotoxin-pretreated rats showed differences in clinical and EEG signs, and in c-Fos expression in the brain, with respect to picrotoxin-treated rats exposed to an equivalent dose of unmodulated radiation. Neither radiation treatment caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. The most marked effects of GSM radiation on c-Fos expression in picrotoxin-treated rats were observed in limbic structures, olfactory cortex areas and subcortical areas, the dentate gyrus, and the central lateral nucleus of the thalamic intralaminar nucleus group. Nonpicrotoxin-treated animals exposed to unmodulated radiation showed the highest levels of neuronal c-Fos expression in cortical areas. These results suggest a specific effect of the pulse modulation of GSM radiation on brain activity of a picrotoxin-induced seizure-proneness rat model and indicate that this mobile-phone-type radiation might induce regional changes in previous preexcitability conditions of neuronal activation.

GSM radiation triggers seizures and increases cerebral c-Fos positivity in rats pretreated with subconvulsive doses of picrotoxin

This study investigated the effects of mobile-phone-type radiation on the cerebral activity of seizure-prone animals. When rats transformed into an experimental model of seizure-proneness by acute subconvulsive doses of picrotoxin were exposed to 2 h GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiation at an intensity similar to that emitted by mobile phones, they suffered seizures and the levels of the neuronal activity marker c-Fos in neocortex, paleocortex, hippocampus and thalamus increased markedly. Non-irradiated picrotoxin-treated rats did not suffer seizures, and their cerebral c-Fos counts were significantly lower. Radiation caused no such differences in rats that had not been pretreated with picrotoxin. We conclude that GSM-type radiation can induce seizures in rats following their facilitation by subconvulsive doses of picrotoxin, and that research should be pursued into the possibility that this kind of radiation may similarly affect brain function in human subjects with epileptic disorders.

Physiological involvement of placental endothelin-1 and prostaglandin F2alpha in uteroplacental circulatory disturbance in pregnant rats exposed to heat stress

Several studies suggest that heat stress affects placental functions including uteroplacental circulation, subsequently leading to pregnancy failure and birth weight reduction. To clarify the involvement of endothelin and placental prostaglandin (PG) systems in the uteroplacental circulation during heat stress, we examined the effects of i.v. administration of the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin on uteroplacental blood flow and on placental PGE2 and PGF2alpha levels and their 13,14-dyhydro-15-keto-metabolites (PGEM and PGFM, respectively) in heat-exposed or non-heat-exposed pregnant rats. The administration of bosentan or indomethacin did not change uteroplacental blood flow in non-heat-exposed pregnant rats. In contrast, heat reduced uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant rats, but the reduction was reversed by the administration of bosentan or indomethacin before heat exposure. Heat did not change placental PGE2 or PGEM levels, but in pregnant rats it increased placental PGF2alpha and PGFM levels, which were reversed by bosentan or indomethacin. Our results suggest that the activation of placental endothelin receptor and PGF2alpha systems are involved in the uteroplacental circulatory disturbances produced by heat. PGF2alpha systems activated by heat may be involved in the vasoconstricting effects of endothelin-A and -B receptors during heat exposure.

Microwave effects on the nervous system

Studies have evaluated the electroencephalography (EEG) of humans and laboratory animals during and after Radiofrequency (RF) exposures. Effects of RF exposure on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) have been generally accepted for exposures that are thermalizing. Low level exposures that report alterations of the BBB remain controversial. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can damage the structure and function of the nervous system. Much research has focused on the neurochemistry of the brain and the reported effects of RF exposure. Research with isolated brain tissue has provided new results that do not seem to rely on thermal mechanisms. Studies of individuals who are reported to be sensitive to electric and magnetic fields are discussed. In this review of the literature, it is difficult to draw conclusions concerning hazards to human health. The many exposure parameters such as frequency, orientation, modulation, power density, and duration of exposure make direct comparison of many experiments difficult. At high exposure power densities, thermal effects are prevalent and can lead to adverse consequences. At lower levels of exposure biological effects may still occur but thermal mechanisms are not ruled out. It is concluded that the diverse methods and experimental designs as well as lack of replication of many seemingly important studies prevents formation of definite conclusions concerning hazardous nervous system health effects from RF exposure. The only firm conclusion that may be drawn is the potential for hazardous thermal consequences of high power RF exposure.

Nonthermal effects of mobile-phone frequency microwaves on uteroplacental functions in pregnant rats

Exposure to high-density microwaves can cause detrimental effects on the testis, eye, and other tissues, and induce significant biologic changes through thermal actions. To examine nonthermal effect of continuous wave (CW) 915MHz microwaves used in cellular phones, we compared the effects of microwaves with those of heat. Thirty-six pregnant rats were assigned to six groups: rats exposed to microwaves at 0.6 or 3mW/cm(2) incident power density at 915MHz for 90min, rats immersed in water at 38 or 40 degrees C, which induces about the same increase in colonic temperature of 1.0 or 3.5 degrees C as 0.6 or 3mW/cm(2) microwaves, respectively; rats immersed in water at 34 degrees C, which is considered to be thermoneutral; and control rats. We identified significant differences in the uteroplacental circulation, and in placental endocrine and immune functions between pregnant rats immersed in water at 34 and 38 degrees C, but not between rats immersed at 38 degrees C and those exposed to microwaves at 0.6mW/cm(2). By contrast, we observed significant decreases in uteroplacental blood flow and estradiol in rats exposed to microwaves at 3mW/cm(2) as compared with those immersed in water at 40 degrees C. These results suggest microwaves at 0.6mW/cm(2) at 915MHz, equal to a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4W/kg, which is the maximum permissible exposure level recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), do not exert nonthermal effects on blood estradiol and progesterone, on splenic natural killer cell activity, on the uteroplacental circulation.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones on the central nervous system

With the increasing use of mobile communication, concerns have been expressed about the possible interactions of electromagnetic radiation with the human organism and, in particular, the brain. The effects on neuronal electrical activity, energy metabolism, genomic responses, neurotransmitter balance, blood-brain barrier permeability, cognitive function, sleep, and various brain diseases including brain tumors are reviewed. Most of the reported effects are small as long as the radiation intensity remains in the nonthermal range, and none of the research reviewed gives an indication of the mechanisms involved at this range. However, health risks may evolve from indirect consequences of mobile telephony, such as the sharply increased incidence rate of traffic accidents caused by telephony during driving, and possibly also by stress reactions which annoyed bystanders may experience when cellular phones are used in public places. These indirect health effects presumably outweigh the direct biological perturbations and should be investigated in more detail in the future.

Involvement of central, but not placental corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in heat stress induced immunosuppression during pregnancy

To clarify whether corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and beta-endorphin (betaEP) system mediate maternal immunosuppression in pregnant rats exposed to heat through central or placental pathway, we examined the effects of intravenous (iv) (100 or 500 microg) or intracerebroventricular (icv) (5 microg) administration of CRH receptor antagonist alpha-helical CRH (9-41) on splenic natural killer cell activity (NKCA) as well as betaEP in blood, pituitary lobes, and placenta in pregnant rats at 15 to 16 days gestation. Two-way ANOVA revealed that heat reduced NKCA and elevated blood and pituitary betaEP but did not change placental betaEP. Iv administered 500 microg and icv administered alpha-helical CRH reversed the reduced NKCA and the elevated pituitary betaEP, while iv administration of 100 microg alpha-helical CRH did not. The increased blood betaEP was reversed by iv 100 and 500 microg alpha-helical CRH and icv administration. Both iv and icv administrations reduced placental betaEP independent of heat exposure. Thus, the response of placental betaEP to iv administration of alpha-helical CRH seemed to be stronger than that of pituitary betaEP. These results indicate that alpha-helical CRH which acts on pituitary betaEP antagonizes heat-induced immunosuppression during pregnancy, suggesting that immunosuppression produced by heat stress during pregnancy is mediated by the central CRH system. The placental CRH-betaEP system seems unlikely to be involved in the immunosuppression. Physiologic roles of placental CRH and opioid system should be clarified by future in vitro experiments using placenta specimen including placental immunocyte.

Heat produces uteroplacental circulatory disturbance in pregnant rats through action of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)

There is some evidence showing an existence of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and opioid peptides, including beta-endorphin (betaEP), in human placenta, whereas physiological roles of the placental peptides in response to stress remain to be elucidated. To clarify the involvement of CRH and opioid system in the uteroplacental circulation in the pregnant rats exposed to heat, we examined the effects of heat and intravenous administration of CRH receptor antagonist alpha-helical CRH (9-41) on the uteroplacental blood flow, as well as blood CRH, and blood and placental betaEP in pregnant rats. Heat did not change uterine blood flow in virgin rats, but reduced uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant rats. The reduced uteroplacental blood flow induced by heat in pregnant rats was reversed by the administration of alpha-helical CRH. Independent of the status of pregnancy, heat increased blood CRH, which was not reversed by alpha-helical CRH. Although heat did not change placental betaEP, alpha-helical CRH reduced blood and placenta betaEP in pregnant rats. These results suggest that the uteroplacental circulatory disturbance caused by heat is mediated by CRH, possibly through the involvement of CRH receptor in rat placenta. The placental opioid system seems unlikely to be involved in the mediation of uteroplacental circulation.

Uteroplacental circulatory disturbance mediated by prostaglandin f2alpha in rats exposed to microwaves. hiro-n@po.incl.ne.jp

To clarify the effects of microwaves on pregnancy, uterine or uteroplacental blood flow and endocrine and biochemical mediators, including corticosterone, estradiol, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and prostaglandin F(2)alpha (PGF(2)alpha), were measured in rats exposed to continuous-wave (CW) microwave at 2 mW/cm(2) incident power density at 2450 MHz for 90 min. Colonic temperature in virgin and pregnant rats was not significantly altered by microwave treatment. Microwaves decreased uteroplacental blood flow and increased progesterone and PGF(2)alpha in pregnant, but not in virgin rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of angiotensin II, a uteroplacental vasodilator, before microwave exposure prevented the reduction in uteroplacental blood flow and the increased progesterone and PGF(2)alpha in pregnant rats. Increased corticosterone and decreased estradiol during microwave exposure were observed independent of pregnancy and pretreatment with angiotensin II. These results suggest that microwaves (CW, 2 mW/cm(2), 2450 MHz) produce uteroplacental circulatory disturbances and ovarian and placental dysfunction during pregnancy, probably through nonthermal actions. The uteroplacental disturbances appear to be due to actions of PGF(2)alpha and may pose some risk for pregnancy.

Natural killer cell activity reduced by microwave exposure during pregnancy is mediated by opioid systems

We have previously demonstrated immunosuppression including reduced splenic natural killer cell activity (NKCA) in pregnant rats exposed to microwaves produced mainly by their thermal action. To examine the involvement of opioid systems in reduced NKCA in pregnant rats exposed to microwaves at a relatively low level (2 mW/cm2 incident power density at 2450 MHz for 90 min), we assayed beta-endorphin (betaEP) in blood, pituitary lobes, and placenta as well as splenic NKCA in virgin and/or pregnant rats. Although microwaves elevated colonic temperatures by 0.8 degreesC for virgin and 0.9 degreesC for pregnant rats, and betaEP in blood and anterior pituitary lobes (AP) significantly, it did not change blood corticosterone as an index of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis. There were significant interactions between pregnancy and microwave exposure on splenic NKCA, betaEP in both blood and AP, and blood progesterone. Intra-peritoneal administration of opioid receptor antagonist naloxone prior to microwave exposure increased NKCA, blood, and placental betaEP in pregnant rats. Alterations in splenic NKCA, betaEP and progesterone in pregnant rats exposed to microwaves may be due to both thermal and nonthermal actions. These results suggest that NKCA reduced by microwaves during pregnancy is mediated by the pituitary opioid system.

Opioid peptides mediate heat stress-induced immunosuppression during pregnancy

To clarify the involvement of the opioid system in enhanced immunosuppression induced by heat stress during pregnancy, we examined the effects of heat exposure and intraperitoneal administration of opioid receptor antagonist naloxone on beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in blood, pituitary lobes, and placenta as well as splenic natural killer cell activity (NKCA) and placental steroids in pregnant rats at 15-16 days gestation. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant increases in blood beta-EP induced by heat and naloxone and a significant interaction between heat and naloxone on blood beta-EP and progesterone (P). Whereas heat reduced NKCA, intraperitoneal administration of naloxone reversed it. Significant increases in blood and placental beta-EP induced by both heat and naloxone administration and a significant interaction on blood and placental beta-EP was observed. These results suggest that immunosuppression produced by heat stress during pregnancy is mediated by the opioid system. A positive correlation between beta-EP in blood and placenta during heat and naloxone administration suggests that increased placental beta-EP during heat results in hypersecretion of beta-EP into blood. P increased by heat during pregnancy may be involved in the immunosuppression.

Effect of global system for mobile communication microwave exposure on the genomic response of the rat brain

The acute effect of global system for mobile communication (GSM) microwave exposure on the genomic response of the central nervous system was studied in rats by measuring changes in the messenger RNAs of hsp70, the transcription factor genes c-fos and c-jun and the glial structural gene GFAP using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Protein products of transcription factors, stress proteins and marker proteins of astroglial and microglial activation were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Cell proliferation was evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. A special GSM radiofrequency test set, connected to a commercial cellular phone operating in the discontinuous transmission mode, was used to simulate GSM exposure. The study was conducted at time averaged and brain averaged specific absorption rates of 0.3 W/kg (GSM exposure), 1.5 W/kg (GSM exposure) and 7.5 W/kg (continuous wave exposure), respectively. Immediately after exposure, in situ hybridization revealed slight induction of hsp70 messenger RNA in the cerebellum and hippocampus after 7.5 W/kg exposure, but not at lower intensities. A slightly increased expression of c-fos messenger RNA was observed in the cerebellum, neocortex and piriform cortex of all groups subjected to immobilization, but no differences were found amongst different exposure conditions. C-jun and GFAP messenger RNAs did not increase in any of the experimental groups. 24 h after exposure, immunocytochemical analysis of FOS and JUN proteins (c-FOS, FOS B, c-JUN JUN B, JUN D), of HSP70 or of KROX-20 and -24 did not reveal any alterations. Seven days after exposure, neither increased cell proliferation nor altered expression of astroglial and microglial marker proteins were observed. In conclusion, acute high intensity microwave exposure of immobilized rats may induce some minor stress response but does not result in lasting adaptive or reactive changes of the brain.

Neurological effects of microwave exposure related to mobile communication

Due to the wide and growing use of mobile communication, there is increasing concern about the interactions of electromagnetic radiation with the human organism, and, in particular, with the brain. In the present report, experimental studies on putative electrophysiological, biochemical and morphological effects of continuous or pulsed microwave radiation are briefly reviewed. Such effects have been described in vitro and in vivo using animals and humans. Particularly, effects on neuronal electrical activity, cellular calcium homeostasis, energy metabolism, genomic responses, neurotransmitter balance and blood-brain barrier permeability have been reported. However, some results have either been disputed, since experimental replication led to contradictory findings, or been related to procedural side effects. Since neurological disturbances induced by mobile telephone devices would be of considerable interest for public health, the authors recognize that further experimental studies, involving strict positive and negative control conditions, will be required in the future. At the present state of knowledge there is no positive evidence that pulsed or continuous microwave exposure in the non-thermal range confers elevated risk to the health of the brain.

Effects of exposure to microwaves on cellular immunity and placental steroids in pregnant rats

OBJECTIVES

Microwaves produce various detrimental changes based on actions of heat or non-specific stress, although the effects of microwaves on pregnant organisms has not been uniform. This study was designed to clarify the effect of exposure to microwaves during pregnancy on endocrine and immune functions.

METHODS

Natural killer cell activity and natural killer cell subsets in the spleen were measured, as well as some endocrine indicators in blood--corticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) as indices of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis--beta-endorphin, oestradiol, and progesterone in six female virgin rats and six pregnant rats (nine to 11 days gestation) exposed to microwaves at 10 mW/cm2 incident power density at 2450 MHz for 90 minutes. The same measurements were performed in control rats (six virgin and six pregnant rats).

RESULTS

Skin temperature in virgin and pregnant rats increased immediately after exposure to microwaves. Although splenic activity of natural killer cells and any of the subset populations identified by the monoclonal antibodies CD16 and CD57 did not differ in virgin rats with or without exposure to microwaves, pregnant rats exposed to microwaves showed a significant reduction of splenic activity of natural killer cells and CD16+CD57-. Although corticosterone and ACTH increased, and oestradiol decreased in exposed virgin and pregnant rats, microwaves produced significant increases in beta-endorphin and progesterone only in pregnant rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Microwaves at the power of 10 mW/cm2 produced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased oestradiol in both virgin and pregnant rats, suggesting that microwaves greatly stress pregnant organisms. These findings in pregnant rats suggest that--with exposure to microwaves--pregnancy induces immunosuppression, which could result in successful maintainance of pregnancy. This enhancement of adaptability to heat stress with pregnancy may be mediated by activation of placental progesterone and placental or pituitary beta-endorphin.