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Torres-Ruiz M, Suárez OJ, López V, Marina P, Sanchis A, Liste I, de Alba M, Ramos V. Effects of 700 and 3500 MHz 5G radiofrequency exposure on developing zebrafish embryos. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:169475. [PMID: 38199355 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Telecommunications industries are rapidly deploying the fifth generation (5G) spectrum and there is public concern about the safety and health impacts of this type of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR), in part because of the lack of comparable scientific evidence. In this study we have used a validated commercially available setting producing a uniform field to expose zebrafish embryos (ZFe) to unmodulated 700 and 3500 MHz frequencies. We have combined a battery of toxicity, developmental and behavioral assays to further explore potential RFR effects. Our neurobehavioral profiles include a tail coiling assay, a light/dark activity assay, two thigmotaxis anxiety assays (auditory and visual stimuli), and a startle response - habituation assay in response to auditory stimuli. ZFe were exposed for 1 and 4 h during the blastula period of development and endpoints evaluated up to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). Our results show no effects on mortality, hatching or body length. However, we have demonstrated specific organ morphological effects, and behavioral effects in activity, anxiety-like behavior, and habituation that lasted in larvae exposed during the early embryonic period. A decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was also observed and could explain some of the observed behavioral alterations. Interestingly, effects were more pronounced in ZFe exposed to the 700 MHz frequency, and especially for the 4 h exposure period. In addition, we have demonstrated that our exposure setup is robust, flexible with regard to frequency and power testing, and highly comparable. Future work will include exposure of ZFe to 5G modulated signals for different time periods to better understand the potential health effects of novel 5G RFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Torres-Ruiz
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Oscar J Suárez
- Radio Frequency Laboratory, Telecommunications General Secretary and Audiovisual Communication Services Ordenation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria López
- Chronical Diseases Research Functional Unit (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Pablo Marina
- Telemedicine and eHealth Research Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 5, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sanchis
- Non-Ionizing Radiation Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Isabel Liste
- Chronical Diseases Research Functional Unit (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Mercedes de Alba
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Victoria Ramos
- Telemedicine and eHealth Research Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 5, Madrid 28029, Spain.
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Yang H, Zhang Y, Wu X, Gan P, Luo X, Zhong S, Zuo W. Effects of Acute Exposure to 3500 MHz (5G) Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Anxiety‐Like Behavior and the Auditory Cortex in Guinea Pigs. Bioelectromagnetics 2022; 43:106-118. [PMID: 35066900 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Honghong Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Xianwen Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Ping Gan
- Department of Dependable Service Computing in Cyber Physical Society, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education Chongqing University Chongqing China
| | - Xiaoli Luo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Shixun Zhong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Wenqi Zuo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing China
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Yang H, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Zhong S, Hu G, Zuo W. The Effects of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation on Cochlear Stria Marginal Cells in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 41:219-229. [PMID: 32072661 PMCID: PMC7154754 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the possible mechanisms for biological effects of 1,800 MHz mobile radiofrequency radiation (RFR), the radiation-specific absorption rate was applied at 2 and 4 W/kg, and the exposure mode was 5 min on and 10 min off (conversation mode). Exposure time was 24 h short-term exposure. Following exposure, to detect cell DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the Comet assay test, flow cytometry, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride) staining, and a fluorescent probe were used, respectively. Our experiments revealed that mobile phone RFR did not cause DNA damage in marginal cells, and the rate of cell apoptosis did not increase (P > 0.05). However, the production of ROS in the 4 W/kg exposure group was greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that mobile phone energy was insufficient to cause cell DNA damage and cell apoptosis following short-term exposure, but the cumulative effect of mobile phone radiation still requires further confirmation. Activation of the ROS system plays a significant role in the biological effects of RFR. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghong Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihai Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shixun Zhong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guohua Hu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenqi Zuo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Zuo WQ, Hu YJ, Yang Y, Zhao XY, Zhang YY, Kong W, Kong WJ. Sensitivity of spiral ganglion neurons to damage caused by mobile phone electromagnetic radiation will increase in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro model. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:105. [PMID: 26022358 PMCID: PMC4458026 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0300-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the increasing popularity of mobile phones, the potential hazards of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on the auditory system remain unclear. Apart from RF-EMR, humans are also exposed to various physical and chemical factors. We established a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in vitro model to investigate whether the possible sensitivity of spiral ganglion neurons to damage caused by mobile phone electromagnetic radiation (at specific absorption rates: 2, 4 W/kg) will increase. Methods Spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) were obtained from neonatal (1- to 3-day-old) Sprague Dawley® (SD) rats. After the SGN were treated with different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/ml) of LPS, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and alkaline comet assay were used to quantify cellular activity and DNA damage, respectively. The SGN were treated with the moderate LPS concentrations before RF-EMR exposure. After 24 h intermittent exposure at an absorption rate of 2 and 4 W/kg, DNA damage was examined by alkaline comet assay, ultrastructure changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy, and expression of the autophagy markers LC3-II and Beclin1 were examined by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was quantified by the dichlorofluorescin-diacetate assay. Results LPS (100 μg/ml) induced DNA damage and suppressed cellular activity (P < 0.05). LPS (40 μg/ml) did not exhibit cellular activity changes or DNA damage (P > 0.05); therefore, 40 μg/ml was used to pretreat the concentration before exposure to RF-EMR. RF-EMR could not directly induce DNA damage. However, the 4 W/kg combined with LPS (40 μg/ml) group showed mitochondria vacuoles, karyopyknosis, presence of lysosomes and autophagosome, and increasing expression of LC3-II and Beclin1. The ROS values significantly increased in the 4 W/kg exposure, 4 W/kg combined with LPS (40 μg/ml) exposure, and H2O2 groups (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusions Short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation could not directly induce DNA damage in normal spiral ganglion neurons, but it could cause the changes of cellular ultrastructure at special SAR 4.0 W/kg when cells are in fragile or micro-damaged condition. It seems that the sensitivity of SGN to damage caused by mobile phone electromagnetic radiation will increase in a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qi Zuo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Juan Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xue-Yan Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuan-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wen Kong
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei-Jia Kong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
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