Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain

2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1250

Compared with controls, all EMR-exposed groups had significantly lower serum TSH and T4 post-exposure (P<0.01 for EMR1/EMR2; P<0.001 for EMR3). MDA increased and MCT8 decreased after exposure, with notable significance reported after 150 and 180 min/day expos…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain Zufry H, Rudijanto A, Soeatmadji DW, Sakti SP, Munadi K, Sujuti H, Mintaroem K. Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain: An analysis of thyroid function, reactive oxygen species, and monocarboxylate transporter 8. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2023;14:63-8. Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of [GSM] mobile phone electromagnetic radiation (MP-EMR) on the thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain in term of thyroid function, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) concentration. Forty rats were divided into different groups: control (without EMR exposure), EMR1 (120-min/day exposure), EMR2 (150-min), and EMR3 (180-min). The levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and brain and MCT8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-way analysis of variance followed by the Duncan test was used to analyze the data. Our data indicated that the levels of serum TSH and T4 in all the EMR groups were lower significant postexposure compared to the control with P < 0.01 (EMR1 and EMR2) and P < 0.001 (EMR3), suggesting hypothyroidism due to MP-EMR exposure. Increased MDA and decreased MCT8 levels were also observed following the intervention; however, the changes in both concentrations were notably significant after being subjected to 150-min and 180-min of exposure. In conclusion, a significant reduction in TSH, T4, and MCT8 levels indicated thyroid dysfunction due to MP-EMR exposure. Conclusions MP-EMR exposure at the frequency of 1800 MHz has caused significant changes in the levels of serum TSH, T4, MDA, and MCT8 concentration in the Wistar rats. The levels of TSH, T4, and MCT8 decreased in a direct proportion to the EMR exposure duration, whereas MDA levels increased along with the increase of exposure period (after 150-min and 180-min exposure). These suggest that MP exposure could affect thyroid either directly or indirectly via HPT axis. Open access paper: japtr.org

Machine Enhanced Logic

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
PopulationWistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Sample size40
ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 120, 150, or 180 min/day (grouped exposures)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, all EMR-exposed groups had significantly lower serum TSH and T4 post-exposure (P<0.01 for EMR1/EMR2; P<0.001 for EMR3). MDA increased and MCT8 decreased after exposure, with notable significance reported after 150 and 180 min/day exposure.

Outcomes measured

  • Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Serum thyroxine (T4)
  • Malondialdehyde (MDA)
  • Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) concentration (brain)

Limitations

  • Specific exposure duration in days/weeks not stated in the abstract
  • Specific exposure setup details (e.g., distance to phone, modulation specifics beyond GSM, power/SAR) not reported in the abstract
  • Randomization/blinding not described in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "120, 150, or 180 min/day (grouped exposures)"
  },
  "population": "Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)",
  "sample_size": 40,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)",
    "Serum thyroxine (T4)",
    "Malondialdehyde (MDA)",
    "Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) concentration (brain)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, all EMR-exposed groups had significantly lower serum TSH and T4 post-exposure (P<0.01 for EMR1/EMR2; P<0.001 for EMR3). MDA increased and MCT8 decreased after exposure, with notable significance reported after 150 and 180 min/day exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Specific exposure duration in days/weeks not stated in the abstract",
    "Specific exposure setup details (e.g., distance to phone, modulation specifics beyond GSM, power/SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "mobile phone electromagnetic radiation",
    "1800 MHz",
    "thyroid",
    "TSH",
    "T4",
    "hypothyroidism",
    "oxidative stress",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "MCT8",
    "Wistar rat"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Animal experiment assessing GSM mobile phone RF exposure (1800 MHz) and biological outcomes."
    }
  ]
}
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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

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PubMed: Not supplied

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