Chronic Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Induces Mild Renal Damages in Rats

Evaluating Occupational Morbidity Among Energy Enterprise Employees In Industrial Region Of Kazakhstan

Our research project was aimed at studying the effects of an electromagnetic field of industrial frequency (EMF-IF) on employees of an energy company in Kazakhstan. Material and Methods — The object of our study was the health status of electricians (morbidity with temporary disability – MTD), engaged in the maintenance of power lines, relay protection systems and substations (220 and 500 kV) at an energy enterprise in Kazakhstan. The interrelation and dependence of the intensive MTD indicators on the hygienic factors at the workplace were determined, and the risks were calculated from the obtained data. Results — Unfavorable workplace conditions caused an increase in disorders of the musculoskeletal system (up to 77%), blood circulation (up to 65%), nervous system (up to 52%), skin diseases (up to 46.4%), as well as the manifold rise of the likelihood of neoplasm growth and respiratory diseases. For electricians, the relationships between the nervous system disorders (r=0.792), the circulatory system diseases (r=0.573), the musculoskeletal system ailments (r=0.672) and the EMF-IF parameters were discovered. At the same time, the dependence of the incidence rates of various diseases in workers on EMF, as well as moderate to high computed relative risks, implied the occupational genesis of worklace ailments: for nervous system – R2=0.628, cardiovascular system – R2=0.709, skin – R2=0.729, and musculoskeletal system – R2=0.413. Conclusion — As preventive measures for electricians, we recommended to wear individual exposure meters, to limit work in contact with EMF, to include an oncologist in the medical commission, and for trainees, to screen for oxidative stress proteins and chaperone proteins to exclude a predisposition to oncogenesis.

The impact of exposure of diabetic rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phone antenna on hepatic oxidative stress

The excessive exposure of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from mobile phones or their base stations antenna may influence oxidative stress and development of diabetic complications. Here, we investigated the effects of exposing type 2 diabetic rats to EMR of 900 MHz emitted from GSM mobile phone antenna for 24 hours/day over a period of 28 days on hyperglycemia and hepatic oxidative stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (12 rats/group): control rats, normal rats exposed to EMR, T2DM rats generated by nicotinamide/streptozotocin administration, and T2DM rats exposed to EMR. Our results showed that the exposure of T2DM rats to EMR nonsignificantly reduced the hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia compared to unexposed T2DM rats. The exposure of T2DM rats to EMR for 28 days increased the hepatic levels of MDA and Nrf-2 as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase but decreased phosphorylated Akt-2 (pAkt-2) as compared to unexposed T2DM rats. Therefore, the decrease in the hepatic pAkt-2 in T2DM rats after the exposure to EMR may result in elevated level of hepatic MDA, even though the level of Nrf-2 and the activities of SOD and catalase were increased. Abbreviations: BGL: blood glucose level; EMR: electromagnetic radiation; GSM: global system for mobile communication; H2O2: hydrogen peroxide; LSD: least significance difference; MDA:malondialdehyde; Nrf-2: nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2; PI3K: phosphoinositide-3-kinase; pAkt-2: phosphorylated Akt-2; Akt-2: protein kinase; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SEM: standard error of the mean; STZ: streptozotocin; SOD: superoxide dismutase ; O2-: superoxide radical; CT: threshold cycle; T2DM: type 2 diabetes mellitus.

GSM 900 MHz Microwave Radiation-Induced Alterations of Insulin Level and Histopathological Changes of Liver and Pancreas in Rat

BACKGROUND

The rapidly increasing use of mobile phones has led to public concerns about possible health effects of these popular communication devices. This study is an attempt to investigate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation produced by GSM mobile phones on the insulin release in rats.

METHODS

Forty two female adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group1 were exposed to RF radiation 6 hours per day for 7 days. Group 2 received sham exposure (6 hours per day for 7 days). Groups 3 and 4 received RF radiation 3 hours per day for 7 days and sham exposure (3 hours per day), respectively. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of RF was 2.0 W/kg.

RESULTS

Our results showed that RF radiations emitted from mobile phone could not alter insulin release in rats. However, mild to severe inflammatory changes in the portal spaces of the liver of rats as well as damage in the cells of islet of Langerhans were observed. These changes were linked with the duration of the exposures.

CONCLUSION

RF exposure can induce inflammatory changes in the liver as well causing damage in the cells of islet of Langerhans.

Pathological effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-day-old male rat kidney

We investigated the effects on kidney tissue of 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF applied during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats were exposed to 900 MHz EMF, 1 h/day, on days 13-21 of pregnancy; no procedure was performed on control group pregnant rats or on mothers or newborns after birth. On postnatal day 21, kidney tissues of male rat pups from both groups were examined by light and electron microscopy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels also were investigated. Light microscopy revealed some degenerative changes in the tubule epithelium, small cystic formations in the primitive tubules and large cysts in the cortico-medullary or medullary regions in the experimental group. Electron microscopy revealed a loss of peritubular capillaries and atypical parietal layer epithelial cells in the experimental group. Biochemical analysis showed significantly increased MDA levels in the experimental group and decreased SOD and CAT levels. EMF applied during the prenatal period can caused pathological changes in kidney tissue in 21-day-old male rats owing to oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels.