Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Chronic 835-MHz radiofrequency exposure to mice hippocampus alters the distribution of calbindin and GFAP immunoreactivity med./bio.

Published in: Brain Res 2010; 1346: 237-246

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of 835 MHz radiofrequency exposure on mice hippocampus after three months of exposure.

Background/further details

Calcium binding proteins like calbindin D28k are responsible for the maintaining and controlling calcium homeostasis. Increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) has often been recognized in brain injury. Disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis has been known to be Iinked with increase of GFAP immunoreactivity after brain injury.
20 mice were divided into two groups: sham exposure group and exposure group.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 835 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 8 hr/day for 3 months

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 835 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 8 hr/day for 3 months
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 59.56 V/m - calculated - -
power 2.5 W - - - at 1.6 W/kg
SAR 1.6 W/kg average over time - - -

Reference articles

  • Maskey D et al. (2010): Effect of 835 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure on calcium binding proteins in the hippocampus of the mouse brain

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed a decrease in calbindin D28k immune reactivity in the exposed group with loss of interneurons and pyramidal cells in CA1 area and loss of granule cells. Also, an overall increase in GFAP immune reactivity was observed in the hippocampus of exposed mice.
Apoptotic cells were detected in different areas of the hippocampus (CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus) of exposed mice, which reflects that chronic radiofrequency exposure may affect the cell viability. In addition, the increase of GFAP immunoreactivity due to radiofrequency exposure could be related with reactive astrocytosis (abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes).
The data suggest that the decrease of calbindin D28k immune reactivity, accompanying apoptosis and increase of GFAP immune reactivity might be morphological parameters in the hippocampus damage.

Study character:

Study funded by

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