Adrenergic nerve plexuses of heart and adrenal and myocardial catecholamines of spontaneously hypertensive rats under the influence of electromagnetic irradiation in the millimeter range].

Bioeffects Seen

Belousova TE, Kargina-Terent'eva RA · 1999

Millimeter wave radiation at 5G-relevant frequencies altered heart nerve networks and stress hormones in rats, challenging claims these frequencies are biologically inactive.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Russian researchers exposed hypertensive rats to millimeter wave radiation at frequencies used in medical therapy devices (42,194 MHz and 53,534 MHz). They found the radiation reduced nerve density in heart tissue and decreased stress hormone production in both the heart and adrenal glands. This suggests millimeter wave exposure can suppress the sympathetic nervous system that controls heart rate and blood pressure responses.

Why This Matters

This study reveals how millimeter wave radiation can directly impact the cardiovascular system's nerve networks and hormone production. The frequencies tested (42-53 GHz) fall within the range now being deployed for 5G networks, making these findings particularly relevant as this technology expands globally. What's striking is that the radiation suppressed the sympatho-adrenal system - the body's primary stress response mechanism that regulates heart function and blood pressure. While the researchers framed this as potentially therapeutic for hypertension, the broader implication is concerning: if millimeter waves can alter fundamental cardiovascular control systems in targeted medical applications, what might chronic low-level exposure from 5G infrastructure do to healthy individuals over time? The science demonstrates that these frequencies aren't biologically inert, contrary to industry claims that non-ionizing radiation only causes heating effects.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 42,194 MHz and 53,534 MHz

Study Details

Condition of adrenergic cardiac and adrenal nervous plexuses of Kyoto-Wistar Rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was examined by quantitative neurohistochemical methods before and after extremely high frequency field (EHF field) influence of "Bayur" microwave therapy apparatus in mode 1 (42,194 MHz frequency, 7.1 mm wavelength) and in mode 3 (53,534 MHz frequency, 5.6 mm wavelength).

Reduction of myocardial nervous plexus density and catecholamine luminescence intensity were detecte...

Cite This Study

Belousova TE, Kargina-Terent'eva RA (1999). Adrenergic nerve plexuses of heart and adrenal and myocardial catecholamines of spontaneously hypertensive rats under the influence of electromagnetic irradiation in the millimeter range]. Morfologiia 115(1):16-18, 1999.

Show BibTeX

@article{te_1999_adrenergic_nerve_plexuses_of_1896,
  author = {Belousova TE and Kargina-Terent'eva RA},
  title = {Adrenergic nerve plexuses of heart and adrenal and myocardial catecholamines of spontaneously hypertensive rats under the influence of electromagnetic irradiation in the millimeter range].},
  year = {1999},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/10561846},
}

PubMed: 10561846

Cited By (7 papers)

Possible Effects of Electromagnetic Fields from Phone Masts on a Population of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
A. Balmori (2005) - 127 citations
Induction of Oxidative Stress in Male Rats Subchronically Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields at Non-Thermal Intensities
A. Achudume et al. (2010) - 20 citations
Focal region field of a two dimensional Gregorian system coated with isotropic Chiral medium
Tariq Rahim et al. (2010) - 14 citations
Evaluating the Therapeutic Effect of Vitamin C on the Biological Damages of the Low Electromagnetic Fields in Wistar Mice
A. Neamati et al. (2022)
"Effects of Low Electromagnetic Waves on Thymus Size, Testis and Body Weight and Therapeutic Role of Vitamin C in Mice"
Setareh Davachi et al. (2018)
Study the effect of prolonged exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the α 1 adrenergic system in the small intestine of male rat
M. Jaafari et al. (2015)
THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY GENERATED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON THE HISTOPATHOLOGY OF THE OVARIES AND GONADOTROPHIC HORMONE LEVELS OF FEMALE MICE
D. F. Abou-Zaid (2007)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows millimeter wave radiation can affect heart function. A 1999 Russian study found that exposure to medical-grade millimeter waves reduced nerve density in heart tissue and decreased stress hormone production, suggesting these frequencies can suppress the nervous system controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

Millimeter wave therapy appears to impact blood pressure regulation. Russian researchers found that exposing hypertensive rats to therapeutic millimeter wave frequencies suppressed their sympathetic nervous system, which controls blood pressure responses. This occurred at the same frequencies used in medical millimeter wave devices.

Millimeter wave radiation can alter heart function by affecting the nervous system that controls it. Research on hypertensive rats showed exposure reduced heart nerve density and stress hormone levels. However, this suppression of the sympathetic nervous system might actually benefit those with high blood pressure.

Millimeter wave exposure can reduce stress hormone production in both the heart and adrenal glands. A study using medical-grade frequencies found decreased catecholamine levels in hypertensive rats, indicating suppression of the body's stress response system that normally elevates heart rate and blood pressure.

Millimeter waves can cause measurable cardiovascular effects including reduced heart nerve density and decreased stress hormone production. Research found these changes at frequencies used in medical devices, suggesting millimeter wave exposure suppresses the sympathetic nervous system that regulates heart function and blood pressure.