The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation
Djordjevic B, Sokolovic D, Kocic G, Veljkovic A, Despotovic M, Basic J, Jevtovic-Stoimenov T, Sokolovic DM. · 2015
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation at cell phone frequencies caused measurable liver damage in rats, with antioxidants providing only partial protection.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-frequency radiation (900 MHz) for 4 hours daily and found significant liver damage after 20-60 days, including increased oxidative stress and cellular damage. Melatonin supplements provided only partial protection, suggesting microwave radiation harms liver tissue through multiple pathways.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that radiofrequency radiation affects organs beyond the brain, demonstrating measurable liver damage at exposure levels comparable to prolonged cell phone use. The 900 MHz frequency and power levels used mirror real-world wireless exposures, making these findings particularly relevant for understanding cumulative health effects from our wireless devices. What's especially noteworthy is that even melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, could only partially protect against the oxidative damage. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure triggers multiple pathways of cellular harm simultaneously, which explains why simple antioxidant approaches may not provide complete protection. You don't have to eliminate all wireless technology, but this research reinforces why reducing unnecessary exposures and taking breaks from devices makes biological sense.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1 - 0.3 mG
- Electric Field
- 54-160 V/m
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 4h a day, for 20, 40 and 60 days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1 - 0.3 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
This study used 54-160 V/m for electric fields:
- 180x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
We aimed to clarify if melatonin treatment (2 mg/kg i.p.) may favorably impact the liver tissue in rats exposed to microwave radiation.
The experiment was performed on 84 six-weeks-old Wistar male rats exposed for 4h a day, for 20, 40 a...
Exposure to microwaves caused an increase in malondialdehyde after 40 (p < 0.01), protein carbonyl c...
Melatonin exerts certain antioxidant effects in the liver of rats exposed to microwaves, by diminishing the intensity of lipid peroxidation.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2015_the_effect_of_melatonin_521,
author = {Djordjevic B and Sokolovic D and Kocic G and Veljkovic A and Despotovic M and Basic J and Jevtovic-Stoimenov T and Sokolovic DM.},
title = {The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation},
year = {2015},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/25665474},
}