Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of Low Level Subchronic Microwave Radiation on Rat Brain med./bio.

Published in: Biomed Environ Sci 2016; 29 (12): 858-867

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to 900-2450 MHz electromagnetic fields on cognitive functions, Hsp70 protein expression and DNA damage in the brain should be investigated.

Background/further details

Male rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6 each): 1) exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field, 2) exposure to a 1800 MHz electromagnetic field, 3) exposure to a 2450 MHz electromagnetic field, 4) sham exposure.
Deshmukh et al. (2015) conducted a study using the same design and methods but with a exposure duration of 180 days.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
  • SAR: 0.5953 mW/kg
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
  • SAR: 0.5835 mW/kg
Exposure 3: 2,450 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
  • SAR: 0.6672 mW/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Polarization
Exposure duration 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 m
Chamber GTEM cell was placed in a temperature controlled room (22 ± 2°C) under constant lighting conditions
Setup generator produced EMF field in GTEM cell (outer cell dimensions: length: 220 cm × breadth: 120 cm × height: 80 cm) lined with absorbers; rats were restrained in closed boxes during exposure (dimensions: length: 30 cm × breadth: 15 cm × height: 20 cm) divided into 4 compartments with holes of 1 cm diameter; 6 rats were exposed at a time (remark EMF-Portal: distribution to restrainer compartments is not mentioned)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5953 mW/kg - calculated - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Polarization
Exposure duration 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5835 mW/kg - calculated - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,450 MHz
Type
Polarization
Exposure duration 2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 90 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.6672 mW/kg - calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Learning, memory and spatial memory were significantly impaired in the exposure groups (groups 1-3) compared to the sham exposure group (group 4). DNA damage and the Hsp70 protein expression were significantly increased in the exposure groups compared to the sham exposure group. The body temperature showed no differences between before and after exposure in any group.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to 900-2450 MHz electromagnetic fields might have deleterious effects on the brain.

Study character:

Study funded by

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