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Oxidative Stress

Effect of mobile phone radiation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and contextual fear memory in Wistar rat

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Authors not listed · 2020

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Chronic exposure to mobile phone radiation increased hippocampal oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and stress hormones in rats, but did not significantly alter contextual fear memory.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed young adult male Wistar rats to mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic field radiation at 1966.1 MHz, 4.0 mW/cm2, and 0.36 W/kg for 2 hours per day over 16 weeks. Another set of animals was kept under similar conditions without radiation exposure as controls. At the end of the exposure period, the rats were tested for fear memory and then euthanized to measure hippocampal oxidative stress, circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and stress hormones. Exposed rats showed significantly increased hippocampal oxidative stress, elevated levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, increased adrenal gland weight, and higher levels of ACTH and corticosterone. However, changes in contextual fear memory were not statistically significant.

Why This Matters

The researchers noted that in modern life people are continuously exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, and the hippocampus is particularly sensitive to environmental perturbations. The study aimed to examine changes in oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, HPA axis hormones, and contextual fear conditioning linked to the hippocampus. The authors concluded that chronic exposure may induce oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and HPA axis deregulation, but hippocampal functionality changes depend on complex interplay of opposing factors.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1966.1 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1966.1 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2020). Effect of mobile phone radiation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and contextual fear memory in Wistar rat.
Show BibTeX
@article{effect_of_mobile_phone_radiation_on_oxidative_stress_inflammatory_response_and_contextual_fear_memory_in_wistar_rat_ce2607,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Effect of mobile phone radiation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and contextual fear memory in Wistar rat},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1007/s11356-020-07916-z},
  
}
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07916-zPubMed: 32212071

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats were exposed to mobile phone radiation at 1966.1 MHz, 4.0 mW/cm2, and 0.36 W/kg for 2 hours per day over 16 weeks.
Exposure significantly increased hippocampal oxidative stress and elevated circulating levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.
Adrenal gland weight and levels of ACTH and corticosterone increased significantly in exposed rats.
Alteration in contextual fear memory was not statistically significant.
The researchers concluded that chronic exposure may induce oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and HPA axis deregulation, but hippocampal functionality changes depend on complex interplay of opposing factors.