Effects of continuous prenatal and postnatal global system for mobile communications electromagnetic waves (GSM-EMW) exposure on the oxidative stress biomarkers in female rat liver

Heliyon · 2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 589

Study snapshot

PublicationHeliyon · 2022

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of continuous prenatal and postnatal global system for mobile communications electromagnetic waves (GSM-EMW) exposure on the oxidative stress biomarkers in female rat liver Salameh M, Zeitoun-Ghandour S, Sabra L, Ismail L, Daher A, Bazzi A, Khalil M, Joumaa WH. Effects of continuous prenatal and postnatal global system for mobile communications electromagnetic waves (GSM-EMW) exposure on the oxidative stress biomarkers in female rat liver. Heliyon. 2022 Dec 17;8(12):e12367. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12367. Abstract In light of the increased use of communication technologies, the harm caused by continuous exposure to emitted radiation on pregnancy and developing newborns is among the public concerns. Using Sprague-Dawley rats, our study investigates the effects of 24 h/day prenatal and postnatal 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure of female rats on liver oxidative stress (OS) and other hepatic parameters at postnatal days (PND) 1, 9, and 21. Our results showed that RF-EMR exposure led to an increase in oxidative stress status as indicated by a significant elevation in MDA level at PND9 and PND21, a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity at all ages, a reduction (PND1 and PND9) in catalase amounts and mRNA expression, in addition to a decrease in GPx activity at PND21 in the exposed group. Current findings also showed a significant increase in cytoSOD at PND9 and 21 and a reduction in mitoSOD at PND21 in the exposed groups compared to the control groups. However, significant increases in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level and mitoSOD activity were observed at all studied ages. Furthermore, cytoSOD activity showed a significant reduction in PND1, whereas in PND9 the value of this parameter increased compared to the non-exposed group. Moreover, while SOD1 mRNA expression increased at PND1, it decreased at PND9 and 21. However, GPx1 expression was shown to be always decreased in the exposed group. In addition, at PND1 and 9, exposed rats showed a similar response on Akt1, nuclear factor erythroïd 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. Therefore, an increased oxidative stress status produced from a continuous (24 h/day) GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods may result in adverse health effects during future life stages. Excerpt Briefly, animals were exposed to radiation emitted by a device similar to the antennas of mobile phone stations with a frequency equal to 900 MegaHertz. This device generally consists of a radiofrequency signal (RF) generator (model RFS 900–64, RFPA, Artigues-près-Bordeaux, France) accompanied with RF-EMF antennas (local made) supported by a stand, and placed horizontally 100 cm above the cages containing rats (Figure 1). The generator’s power was set to obtain a field intensity of 25 ± 0.4 V/m. A radiofrequency probe (PMM EP600, Narda Safety Test Solution, Hauppauge, NY, USA) monitored with computer software (Win EP 600, Narda Safety Test Solution) was used to check the level of RF-EMF exposure at 3 different periods (gestational day 1, PND1 and PND21). The liver-specific absorption rate (SAR) (0.783 W/kg) was calculated using the equation .... Open access paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSprague-Dawley female rats (prenatal and postnatal exposure; liver outcomes measured at PND1, PND9, PND21)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 0.783 W/kg · continuous 24 h/day prenatal and postnatal; outcomes assessed at postnatal days 1, 9, and 21

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Continuous prenatal and postnatal GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMR exposure was associated with increased oxidative stress markers in female rat liver, including increased MDA at PND9 and PND21 and decreased CAT activity at all ages. Several antioxidant enzyme measures showed mixed changes across ages (e.g., cytoSOD and mitoSOD measures, GPx activity/level, and related gene expression).

Outcomes measured

Liver oxidative stress biomarkers
MDA level
Catalase (CAT) activity
Catalase amount and mRNA expression
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity
GPx level
GPx1 expression
Cytosolic superoxide dismutase (cytoSOD) level/activity
Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (mitoSOD) level/activity
SOD1 mRNA expression
Akt1 expression
Nrf-2 expression
ICAM-1 expression

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided text
Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in provided text
Exposure characterization beyond frequency, field intensity (25 ± 0.4 V/m), and liver SAR (0.783 W/kg) not fully detailed in provided text

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 0.783,
    "duration": "continuous 24 h/day prenatal and postnatal; outcomes assessed at postnatal days 1, 9, and 21"
  },
  "population": "Sprague-Dawley female rats (prenatal and postnatal exposure; liver outcomes measured at PND1, PND9, PND21)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Liver oxidative stress biomarkers",
    "MDA level",
    "Catalase (CAT) activity",
    "Catalase amount and mRNA expression",
    "Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity",
    "GPx level",
    "GPx1 expression",
    "Cytosolic superoxide dismutase (cytoSOD) level/activity",
    "Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (mitoSOD) level/activity",
    "SOD1 mRNA expression",
    "Akt1 expression",
    "Nrf-2 expression",
    "ICAM-1 expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Continuous prenatal and postnatal GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMR exposure was associated with increased oxidative stress markers in female rat liver, including increased MDA at PND9 and PND21 and decreased CAT activity at all ages. Several antioxidant enzyme measures showed mixed changes across ages (e.g., cytoSOD and mitoSOD measures, GPx activity/level, and related gene expression).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided text",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in provided text",
    "Exposure characterization beyond frequency, field intensity (25 ± 0.4 V/m), and liver SAR (0.783 W/kg) not fully detailed in provided text"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMR",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
    "prenatal exposure",
    "postnatal exposure",
    "Sprague-Dawley rats",
    "female rat liver",
    "oxidative stress",
    "MDA",
    "catalase",
    "glutathione peroxidase",
    "superoxide dismutase",
    "Nrf2",
    "ICAM-1",
    "Akt1",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study concerns RF-EMF exposure (GSM 900 MHz) relevant to guideline discussions, though no policy content is included."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12367
PubMed: 36590500

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