Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The influence of microwave radiation from cellular phone on fetal rat brain med./bio.

By: Jing J, Yuhua Z, Xiao-Qian Y, Rongping J, Dong-Mei G, Xi C

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2012; 31 (1): 57-66

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress and the level of neurotransmitters in the brains of fetal rats exposed to cellular phones.

Background/further details

Pregnant rats were divided into four groups (n=8 per group): 1.) sham exposed, 2.) 10 minutes exposed, 3.) 30 minutes exposed and 4.) 60 minutes exposed. At the 21th day of pregnancy, rats were sacrificed and 5 foetuses were taken out of the uterus of each rat.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: level of neurotransmitters and oxidative stress in the brain

Exposure

- microwaves
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: unspecified Exposure duration: 3 times per day (3 x 10, 30 or 60 min) for 20 days during gestation	SAR: 0.9 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	unspecified
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	3 times per day (3 x 10, 30 or 60 min) for 20 days during gestation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Setup	24 cm long iron wire tube cage with a diameter of 7 cm; rat's movement restrained in the cage; during exposure mobile phone's antenna kept close to the rat's ear
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.9 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body: antenna close to the ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

endocrine changes: see "effects on the neurological system"
effects on the neurological system: levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (metabolism product of serotonin) in the brain (high performance liquid chromatography); oxidative stress in the brain: enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, level of malondialdehyde (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), spectrophotometry)

Investigated system:

brain homogenates

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the 30 and 60 minutes exposed group, the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly decreased while the level of malondialdehyde was increased in comparison to the sham exposed group.
The levels of norepinephrine and dopamine were significantly increased in the 10 minutes group and decreased in the 60 minutes group when compared to the sham exposed group. No changes in the level of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were observed among the groups.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

ASRF "A-803P"
ISTC No.#1571P

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