Effect of low-level 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the rat sciatic nerve and the protective role of paricalcitol.
Comelekoglu U, Aktas S, Demirbag B, Karagul MI, Yalin S, Yildirim M, Akar A, Korunur Engiz B, Sogut F, Ozbay E. · 2018
View Original AbstractCell phone frequency radiation damaged rat nerves in just four weeks of one-hour daily exposure, but antioxidants provided partial protection.
Plain English Summary
Turkish researchers exposed rats to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for one hour daily over four weeks and found significant damage to the sciatic nerve, which controls leg function. The nerve damage included slower electrical signals, increased oxidative stress, and physical deterioration of nerve fibers. However, when rats were also given paricalcitol (a vitamin D derivative), the nerve damage was partially prevented.
Why This Matters
This study adds to mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation can damage peripheral nerves, not just brain tissue. The 1800 MHz frequency tested is identical to what many GSM cell phones emit, making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposure. What's particularly concerning is that nerve damage occurred with just one hour of daily exposure over four weeks. The fact that an antioxidant compound provided partial protection suggests oxidative stress plays a key role in RF-induced nerve damage. This research reinforces the importance of minimizing unnecessary RF exposure, especially prolonged exposure near the body where phones are typically carried.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1800 MHz Duration: 1 h per day for 4 weeks
Study Details
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 1,800 MHz RF radiation and the protective role of paricalcitol on the rat sciatic nerve.
Rats were divided into four groups as control, paricalcitol, RF, and RF + paricalcitol. In RF groups...
In the RF group, a significant reduction in amplitude, prolongation in latency, an increase in the M...
Show BibTeX
@article{u_2018_effect_of_lowlevel_1800_1626,
author = {Comelekoglu U and Aktas S and Demirbag B and Karagul MI and Yalin S and Yildirim M and Akar A and Korunur Engiz B and Sogut F and Ozbay E.},
title = {Effect of low-level 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the rat sciatic nerve and the protective role of paricalcitol.},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1002/bem.22149},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.22149},
}