Effects of 4G mobile phone radiation exposure on reproductive, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters of male Wistar rat

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mobile phones have become a vital part of human life. Due to drastic increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers, exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from these phones has increased dramatically. Hence, the effect of RFR on humans is an area of concern. This study was performed to determine the impact of 4G mobile phone radiation on the male reproductive system, liver, kidney, and hematological parameters.

METHODS

Seventy-day-old Wistar rats were exposed to 4G radiation (2350 MHz for 2 h/day for 56 days). Sperm parameters such as sperm count, viability, sperm head morphology, mitochondrial activity, total antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation of sperm were evaluated. Histopathology of the testis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicle, liver, and kidney was carried out. Complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, and testosterone hormone analysis were done.

RESULTS

At the end of the experiment, results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sperm viability with alterations in the histology of the liver, kidney, testis, and other reproductive organs in the exposed group of rats. A reduced level of testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, and decreased sperm mitochondrial function were also observed in the exposed rats. Moreover, the exposed rats showed an increase in sperm lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormality. Hematological parameters like hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), and packed cell volume (PCV) showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the exposed rats.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that chronic exposure to 4G radiation may affect the male reproductive system, hematological system, liver, and kidney of rats.

Mobile phone induced EMF stress is reversed upon the use of protective devices: results from two experiments testing different boundary conditions

This work examines (a) the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on heart rate variability (HRV), saliva cortisol, arterial blood oxygenation, and tympanic temperature, and (b) the potential effect of protective devices developed to counter EMF-induced stress. In a pilot study, recordings were taken during a 15-min mobile phone call emitting a high burden of EMF (electric, magnetic, high frequency) after a baseline measurement at rest with very low EMF. In a second visit, this was repeated with participants using three protective devices (insoles, pendant, mobile phone chip). In the main study, four experimental arms were employed, two of which replicated the experimental setup of the pilot study, and two of which examined the effect of only one mobile phone chip in an open-hidden-paradigm. In both experiments, exposure to EMF decreased HRV and increased salivary cortisol. In the protective experimental condition, HRV increased above and cortisol decreased below the level of the baseline measures. All differences were large and specific and not modulated by non-specific effects like placebo effects.

The Preliminary Chronic Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phones on Heart Rate Variability, Cardiac Function, Blood Profiles, and Semen Quality in Healthy Dogs

The present study aims to determine the effects of long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones (MPs) on heart rate variability (HRV), cardiac function, blood profiles, body surface temperature, and semen quality in healthy dogs. Eight male dogs were exposed to MPs (1962–1966 MHz; specific absorption rate 0.96 W/kg) for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, for 10 weeks. Holter monitoring for HRV analysis was performed at baseline (BL) and every 2 weeks, until the end of the study. Electrocardiograms (ECG), blood pressure (BP), echocardiography, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), hematology and biochemistry profiles, body surface temperature, and semen quality were evaluated at BL, week 5, and week 10 during exposure. The results showed that most of the HRV parameters did not significantly differ among timepoints, except for the mean of an interval between continuous normal R waves in week 6 that was higher than that at BL (p = 0.022). The RR and QT intervals from ECG in week 5 were prolonged, compared to the BL values (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), but those parameters were within the normal limits. The echocardiography, BP, cTnI concentrations, body surface temperature, and semen quality results were not different from BL values. In conclusion, this study found no evidence suggesting an adverse effect of cell phone exposure on HRV, cardiac function, blood profiles, body surface temperature, or semen quality in healthy dogs, when exposed for 10 weeks.

Oxidative damage in the liver and brain of the rats exposed to frequency-dependent radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure: biochemical and histopathological evidence

The study aimed to discover a link between the liver and brain's functional status due to frequency dependent-radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). Forty Wistar rats were randomly classified as control (sham-exposed) and EMR exposed groups. Animals were exposed to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz with the specific absorption rate (SAR) 0.434 (W/Kg), 0.433 (W/Kg), and 0.453 (W/Kg) respectively. Animal exposure was limited at 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 1 month with a restricted power density (900 MHz- 11.638 µW/m², 1800- 11.438 µW/m² and 2100 MHz frequency- 8.237 µW/m²). Exposure at various frequencies showed a frequency-dependent change in the body weight and hematologic parameters (RBCs, WBCs, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) as compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.01) (p ≤ 0.001). A significant elevation in serum transaminases and bilirubin, urea, uric acid, and creatinine was noted, whereas albumin significantly decreased after EMR exposure (p ≤ 0.01) (p ≤ 0.001). The blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, triglycerides, and cholesterol were elevated while adenosine triphosphatases, acetylcholinesterase, and tissue antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione Peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases were decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.001). Histopathological observations of the liver showed centrilobular mononuclear cell infiltration and swelling in sinusoidal spaces, while in the brain degenerated pyramidal and Purkinje neurons were seen. Furthermore, Substantial evidence was found that the brain is more susceptible to oxidative mutilation compare to the liver of exposed animals. In conclusion, RF-EMR exposure showed oxidative damage to the liver, increasing the incidence of brain damage in a frequency-dependent manner.HighlightsEMR exposure showed frequency-dependent toxicity.Alterations in blood profile and modifications in the serological markers.Increasing lipid peroxidation indicating membrane damage.Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity affecting cholinergic neurotransmission.EMR exposure resulted in the loss of cellular energy and production of excess amounts of ROS thereby altering several antioxidant enzymes.Histopathological evidence of severe degenerative changes in the liver and brain.

Transdermal patches loaded with L-cysteine HCL as a strategy for protection from mobile phone emitting electromagnetic radiation hazards

Mobile phone usage has been increased in the last few years emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which disturbs normal cellular processes via oxidative stress. L-cysteine, a glutathione precursor, prevents oxidative damage. Transdermal patches (TDPs) loaded with L-cysteine hydrochloride (L-CyS-HCL) were fabricated by dispersion of L-CyS-HCL 5% w/w and different concentrations of sorbitol as a plasticizer in room-temperature vulcanizable synthetic silicone matrices (RTV-Si). The effect of sorbitol on patch physicochemical parameters was assessed; in-vitro L-CyS-HCL release profiles and ex-vivo permeation were studied. Pharmacokinetic parameters of endogenous synthetized in-vivo glutathione, after receiving IV bolus dose of L-CyS-HCl and L-CyS-HCl-RTV-Si-TDPs were studied in rat model. The influence of L-CyS-HCL-RTV-Si-TDPs against damaging effects of mobile phone EMR on rats' blood and brain tissues was studied. The results revealed that patch plasticity, intensity reflections, surface porosity, L-CyS-HCL release rate and skin permeation increased with increasing sorbitol concentration. Pharmacokinetic profile for IV dose and L-CyS-HCl-RTV-Si-TDPs revealed that the L-CyS-HCl-RTV-Si-TDPs provided a sustained glutathione plasma concentration-time profile over entire patch application. High significant differences in biological parameters (blood and brain samples) were observed for radiated rats using the patch in study compared with positive control rats. Promising long-term strategy for protection against mobile phone hazards was obtained.

Effects of mobile phone exposure on biochemical parameters of cord blood: A preliminary study

The purpose of this study is to investigate foetal impact of radiofrequencies (RFs) emitted from mobile phones in postnatal cord blood. The study carried on 149 pregnant women divided into four groups such as nonusers of mobile phone (n: 37; control group), 2-15 min/d (n: 39; group 1), 15-60 min/d (n: 37; group 2) and participants using mobile phone for more than 60 min/d (n: 36; group 3). Cord blood of the infants was taken in all groups for biochemical analyses immediately after birth. The results of the study showed that the biggest foetal impact was observed in the third study group which was pregnant exposed RFRs (RF radiation) more than 1 h/d (1 hour per day). AST (aspartat aminotransferaz), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), CK (creatine kinase), CK-MB (creatine kinase-miyocardial band), CRP (c-reactive protein), PCT (procalcitonin), TnT (troponin T), uric acid and lactate levels of third group were found higher than the other groups (p < 0.001). However, Mean platelet volume values of third group were found lower than the other groups (p < 0.001). Finally, this is the first human study which was performed on pregnant and infants because there is no previous work in this area. However, the results of this study revealed that long-term RFR exposure of pregnant may result in some biochemical changes in the infants. Therefore, our suggestion to pregnant is to avoid from RFR exposure emitted from mobile phones at least during pregnancy.

Effect of in vivo and in vitro exposure to electrostatic field on some hematological parameters in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the external electrostatic field (ESF) on some hematological parameters in rats. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out. In in vivo investigations, rats were exposed to ESF (200 kV/m) during short (1 h) and long periods (6 days, 6 h daily). For in vitro study, the blood of intact rats was exposed to ESF for 1 h. Blood hematology was measured using validated ABX Micros ESV 60 Veterinary Hematology Analyzer. DNA damage in blood leucocytes was detected by means of comet assay. ESF effect on blood cell count was mainly manifested in white blood cells (WBC) and platelets. Damage of WBC was shown both in vitro and in vivo despite alterations in the count. This means the observed increase in WBC count in some cases might be a result of WBC compensatory mobilization from the bone marrow. Red blood cell (RBC) count and related parameters were slightly affected by ESF. Nevertheless, alterations in the shape and size of RBC were manifested. All ESF effects were extinguished in 14 days after the end of exposure. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:513-526, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.