Prolonged Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Affects Endocrine Secretion and Structure of Pancreas in Rats

Alteration of intrapancreatic serotonin, homocysteine, TNF-α, and NGF levels as predisposing factors for diabetes following exposure to 900-MHz waves

Exposure to mobile phone radiation causes deleterious health effects on biological systems. The objects of this study were to investigate the effect of 900-MHz radiofrequency waves (RFW) emitted from base transceiver station antenna on intrapancreatic homocysteine (Hcy), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nerve growth factor (NGF) as predisposing factors involved in pancreatic beta cell damage. Thirty male rats (Sprague-Dawley, 200 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into the control (without any exposure) and exposed groups: short time (2 h/day), long time (4 h/day), and exposed to 900-MHz RFW for 30 consecutive days. On the last days of the experiment, animals were killed and pancreas tissue was dissected out for evaluation of serotonin, Hcy, TNF-α, and NGF. There was a significant decrease in the serotonin and NGF levels in the pancreatic tissue of exposed groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, the levels of serotonin and NGF in the long-time exposure were significantly lower than the short-time exposure (p < 0.05). However, levels of Hcy and TNF-α were significantly increased in the pancreas of exposed groups compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). Exposure to 900-MHz RFW decreased pancreatic NGF and serotonin levels and increased the proinflammatory markers (Hcy and TNF-α), which can be a predisposing factor for type 2 diabetes.

Influence of High Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Produced by Antennas for Mobile Communication on the Structure of the Pancreas in Rats: Histological and Unbiased Stereological Analysis

The emission of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF EMF) produced by antennas for mobile communications has been controversially alleged to have adverse health effects. The aim of our work was to examine whether there are effects on living organisms from HF EMF produced by mobile communication antennas. In this experiment Wistar strain rats were exposed to HF EMF with the following characteristics: 1.9 GHz frequency, 0.24 A/m intensity, electric field strength of 4.79 V/m, and SAR (specific absorption rate) value of 2.0 W/m2. Exposure time was 7 hours per day, 5 days per week, over the course of sixty days. This experiment was conducted on a total of 30 male rats divided randomly into two equal groups: one group of animals was exposed to GSM fields (Global System of antennas for Mobile Communications) as described above whereas the other group of animals was not exposed to any GSM fields. In our study, results show that the quantity, diameter and numerical density of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreatic tissue increased in rats exposed to HF EMF compared to the unexposed group. The volume density, number and numerical density of pancreatic cells also changed in rats that were exposed to the HF EMF compared to the unexposed group. Our study shows a change in the stereological and histological parameters of rat pancreatic tissue due to the effects of HF EM fields produced by antennas for mobile communication.

60 Hz electric field changes the membrane potential during burst phase in pancreatic β-cells: in silico analysis

The production, distribution and use of electricity can generate low frequency electric and magnetic fields (50-60 Hz). Considering that some studies showed adverse effects on pancreatic β-cells exposed to these fields; the present study aimed to analyze the effects of 60 Hz electric fields on membrane potential during the silent and burst phases in pancreatic β-cells using a mathematical model. Sinusoidal 60 Hz electric fields with amplitude ranging from 0.5 to 4 mV were applied on pancreatic β-cells model. The sinusoidal electric field changed burst duration, inter-burst intervals (silent phase) and spike sizes. The parameters above presented dose-dependent response with the voltage amplitude applied. In conclusion, theoretical analyses showed that a 60 Hz electric field with low amplitudes changes the membrane potential in pancreatic β-cells.