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Effects of 2600 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation in Brain Tissue of Male Wistar Rats and Neuroprotective Effects of Melatonin

Bioelectromagnetics · 2021 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1245

Rats exposed to 2600 MHz RFR for 30 days showed decreased GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD and increased MPO, MDA, and NOx (P < 0.005). RFR exposure was also associated with increased structural deformation and apoptosis in brain tissue. High-dose exogenous melatonin red…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2021
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of 2600 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation in Brain Tissue of Male Wistar Rats and Neuroprotective Effects of Melatonin Kevser Delen, Bahriye Sırav, Sinem Oruç, Cemile M Seymen, Dilek Kuzay, Korkut Yeğin, Gülnur Take Kaplanoğlu. Effects of 2600 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation in Brain Tissue of Male Wistar Rats and Neuroprotective Effects of Melatonin. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021 Jan 13. doi: 10.1002/bem.22318. Abstract The debate on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) still continues due to differences in the design of studies (frequency, power density, specific absorption rate [SAR], exposure duration, cell, tissue, or animal type). The current study aimed to investigate the effects of 2,600 MHz RFR and melatonin on brain tissue biochemistry and histology of male rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups randomly: cage-control, sham, RFR, melatonin, sham melatonin, and RFR melatonin. In RFR groups, animals were exposed to 2,600 MHz RFR for 30 days (30 min/day, 5 days/week) and the melatonin group animals were subcutaneously injected with melatonin (7 days/week, 10 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. SAR in brain gray matter was calculated as 0.44 and 0.295 W/kg for 1 and 10 g averaging, respectively. RFR exposure decreased the GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD levels and increased the MPO, MDA, and NOx levels (P < 0.005) significantly. RFR exposure also led to an increase in structural deformation and apoptosis in the brain tissue. This study revealed that exogenous high-dose melatonin could reduce these adverse effects of RFR. Limiting RFR exposure as much as possible is recommended, and taking daily melatonin supplements may be beneficial. 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 directionharm
PopulationMale Wistar rats
Sample size36
ExposureRF · 2600 MHz · 0.44 W/kg · 30 days; 30 min/day, 5 days/week
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to 2600 MHz RFR for 30 days showed decreased GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD and increased MPO, MDA, and NOx (P < 0.005). RFR exposure was also associated with increased structural deformation and apoptosis in brain tissue. High-dose exogenous melatonin reduced these adverse effects in the RFR + melatonin group.

Outcomes measured

  • Brain tissue biochemistry (GSH, GSH-Px, SOD, MPO, MDA, NOx)
  • Brain tissue histology (structural deformation)
  • Apoptosis in brain tissue
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2600,
    "sar_wkg": 0.44,
    "duration": "30 days; 30 min/day, 5 days/week"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": 36,
  "outcomes": [
    "Brain tissue biochemistry (GSH, GSH-Px, SOD, MPO, MDA, NOx)",
    "Brain tissue histology (structural deformation)",
    "Apoptosis in brain tissue"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 2600 MHz RFR for 30 days showed decreased GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD and increased MPO, MDA, and NOx (P < 0.005). RFR exposure was also associated with increased structural deformation and apoptosis in brain tissue. High-dose exogenous melatonin reduced these adverse effects in the RFR + melatonin group.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2600 MHz",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "RFR",
    "SAR",
    "rat",
    "brain tissue",
    "oxidative stress",
    "apoptosis",
    "melatonin",
    "neuroprotection"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Exposure frequency (2600 MHz) overlaps with cellular/LTE bands often discussed in 4G/5G context, though the study is an animal experiment rather than policy."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1002/bem.22318
PubMed: 33440456

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