Influences of exposure to 915-MHz radiofrequency identification signals on serotonin metabolites in rats: A pilot study (of RFID)

International journal of radiation biology · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1783

In both sham and RFID-exposed groups, urinary serotonin decreased (20% in sham; 40% in RFID-exposed). In the RFID-exposed group, urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid decreased by 30%.

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Influences of exposure to 915-MHz radiofrequency identification signals on serotonin metabolites in rats: A pilot study (of RFID) Hye Sun Kim, Man-Jeong Paik, Chan Seo, Hyung Do Choi, Jeong-Ki Pack, Nam Kim, Young Hwan Ahn. Influences of exposure to 915-MHz radiofrequency identification signals on serotonin metabolites in rats: A pilot study.Int J Radiat Biol. 2020 Nov 2;1-19. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1844336. Abstract Purpose: The influences of radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure on animal health, particularly on serotonin metabolism, are not well-elucidated. In this in vivo study, we studied the influences of exposure to radiofrequency identification (RFID) signals on serotonin metabolism. Materials and methods: Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to sham (n = 10) and RFID- exposed (n = 12) groups. Rats in the RFID-exposed group were exposed to RFID signals at an average whole-body specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. Before and after RFID exposure, 24-h urine was collected from each rat. Urinary tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid concentrations were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and changes in the patterns of values were compared between the two groups. Results: Urinary levels of serotonin decreased by 20% (p = 0.041, Student's t-test) and 40% (p = 0.024, Student's t-test) in both the sham and RFID-exposed groups, respectively. Level of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid decreased by 30% in the RFID-exposed group (p = 0.039, Student's t-test). Conclusion: Our results indicate that exposure to RFID signals at a specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg is sufficient to alter serotonin metabolism in rats regardless of whether the exposure level is considered biohazardous. 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

PopulationMale Sprague-Dawley rats

Sample size22

ExposureRF · 915 MHz · 2 W/kg · 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In both sham and RFID-exposed groups, urinary serotonin decreased (20% in sham; 40% in RFID-exposed). In the RFID-exposed group, urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid decreased by 30%.

Outcomes measured

Urinary tryptophan
Urinary 5-hydroxytryptophan
Urinary serotonin
Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)
Urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid

Limitations

Pilot study
Animal (rat) study; human relevance not established in abstract
Small sample size (n=22 total)
Sham group also showed a decrease in urinary serotonin

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "RFID",
    "frequency_mhz": 915,
    "sar_wkg": 2,
    "duration": "8 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Male Sprague-Dawley rats",
  "sample_size": 22,
  "outcomes": [
    "Urinary tryptophan",
    "Urinary 5-hydroxytryptophan",
    "Urinary serotonin",
    "Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)",
    "Urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In both sham and RFID-exposed groups, urinary serotonin decreased (20% in sham; 40% in RFID-exposed). In the RFID-exposed group, urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid decreased by 30%.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Pilot study",
    "Animal (rat) study; human relevance not established in abstract",
    "Small sample size (n=22 total)",
    "Sham group also showed a decrease in urinary serotonin"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "915 MHz",
    "radiofrequency identification",
    "RFID",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR 2 W/kg",
    "serotonin metabolism",
    "urine metabolites",
    "Sprague-Dawley rats",
    "gas chromatography-mass spectrometry"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1844336
PubMed: 33135949

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