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The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone.

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Sokolovic D, Djordjevic B, Kocic G, Babovic P, Ristic G, Stanojkovic Z, Sokolovic DM, Veljkovic A, Jankovic A, Radovanovic Z. · 2012

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Microwave radiation reduced body mass and caused anxiety-related behaviour in rats, and melatonin reversed both effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed Wistar rats to microwave radiation for 4 hours per day and tested whether melatonin could counter any resulting changes in body mass or behaviour. A significant body mass reduction was noted in animals exposed to MW radiation when compared to controls after 20, 40 and 60 days (p<0.001). Exposed animals showed anxiety-related behaviour described as agitation and irritability after 10 days of exposure, and these changes became less noticeable after the radiation source was removed. Melatonin pretreatment significantly increased body weight in irradiated rats compared to irradiated rats without melatonin after 20 days (p<0.05), and melatonin administration caused a decrease in stress-induced behaviour.

Why This Matters

The study used four groups of Wistar rats: a control group given saline, a group given melatonin alone (2 mg/kg), a group exposed to microwave radiation only, and a group that received both microwave exposure and melatonin premedication (2 mg/kg). Body mass was measured at 20, 40, and 60 days, with statistically significant reductions found at each time point in the microwave-exposed group compared to controls. The researchers noted that melatonin is described as a potent antioxidant, immunostimulator and neuromodulator, which informed its selection as a potential countermeasure.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.00468 , 0.00869 mT
SAR
0.043 , 0.135 W/kg
Electric Field
9.88, 18.35 V/m
Source/Device
900 MHz Mobile Phone
Exposure Duration
4 h/day on 60 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.00468 , 0.00869 mT for magnetic fields:

This study used 9.88, 18.35 V/m for electric fields:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.00468 , 0.00869 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 43 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this research was to determine body mass and behaviour changes in rats after a chronic microwave exposure, as well as to determine the effects of melatonin on body mass and behaviour in irradiated rats.

Wistar rats were divided into the four experimental groups: I group (control) - rats treated with 0,...

A significant body mass reduction was noted in animals exposed to MW radiation when compared to cont...

Microwave radiation causes body mass decrease and anxiety related behaviour in rats, however melatonin causes a reverse of those effects on both body weight and behaviour of irradiated animals

Cite This Study
Sokolovic D, Djordjevic B, Kocic G, Babovic P, Ristic G, Stanojkovic Z, Sokolovic DM, Veljkovic A, Jankovic A, Radovanovic Z. (2012). The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone. Bratisl Lek Listy. 113(5):265-269, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2012_the_effect_of_melatonin_189,
  author = {Sokolovic D and Djordjevic B and Kocic G and Babovic P and Ristic G and Stanojkovic Z and Sokolovic DM and Veljkovic A and Jankovic A and Radovanovic Z. },
  title = {The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/22616582},
}
PubMed: 22616582

Cited By (18 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats in the microwave group were exposed to MW radiation for 4 hours per day.
Body weight was significantly increased (p<0.05) in irradiated rats that received melatonin pretreatment compared to the irradiated group without melatonin after 20 days.
Exposed animals showed anxiety-related behaviour, specifically agitation and irritability, after 10 days of exposure.
After the radiation source removal, changes in behaviour were less noticeable.
Melatonin administration to irradiated rats caused a decrease in the stress induced behaviour.