2.1 GHz electromagnetic field does not change contractility and intracellular Ca2+ transients but decreases β-adrenergic responsiveness through nitric oxide signaling in rat ventricular myocytes.
Olgar Y, Hidisoglu E, Celen MC, Yamasan BE, Yargicoglu P, Ozdemir S · 2015
View Original AbstractChronic cell phone frequency exposure impaired heart cells' stress response without affecting basic function in rats.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to 2.1 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 2 hours daily over 10 weeks and studied heart muscle cells. While basic heart function remained normal, the cells showed reduced responsiveness to stress hormones like adrenaline, and nitric oxide levels increased in heart tissue. This suggests that chronic EMF exposure may impair the heart's ability to respond properly during physical or emotional stress.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning finding about how radiofrequency radiation affects heart function at the cellular level. The 2.1 GHz frequency used is within the range of modern wireless communications, making these results directly relevant to everyday EMF exposure from cell phones and other devices. What's particularly significant is that while basic heart muscle contraction appeared normal, the cells' ability to respond to beta-adrenergic stimulation was compromised. This matters because your heart relies on this system to increase its pumping strength during exercise, stress, or emergencies. The increased nitric oxide levels suggest the EMF exposure triggered cellular stress responses that interfered with normal heart signaling pathways. While this was an animal study, it adds to growing evidence that chronic EMF exposure can disrupt cardiovascular function in ways that aren't immediately obvious but could have long-term health implications.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 2.1 GHz EMF Duration: 2 h/day for 10 weeks
Study Details
Due to the increasing use of wireless technology in developing countries, particularly mobile phones, the influence of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on biologic systems has become the subject of an intense debate. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effect of 2.1 GHz EMF on contractility and beta-adrenergic (β-AR) responsiveness of ventricular myocytes.
Rats were randomized to the following groups: sham rats (SHAM) and rats exposed to 2.1 GHz EMF for 2...
Fractional shortening and amplitude of the matched Ca2+ transients were not changed in EM-10 rats. A...
Long-term exposure to 2.1 GHz EMF decreases β-AR responsiveness of ventricular myocytes through NO signaling.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2015_21_ghz_electromagnetic_field_2487,
author = {Olgar Y and Hidisoglu E and Celen MC and Yamasan BE and Yargicoglu P and Ozdemir S},
title = {2.1 GHz electromagnetic field does not change contractility and intracellular Ca2+ transients but decreases β-adrenergic responsiveness through nitric oxide signaling in rat ventricular myocytes.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279729619_21_GHz_electromagnetic_field_does_not_change_contractility_and_intracellular_Ca2_transients_but_decreases_b-adrenergic_responsiveness_through_nitric_oxide_signaling_in_rat_ventricular_myocytes},
}