Rats exposed to 2.45 GHz of non-ionizing radiation exhibit behavioral changes with increased brain expression of apoptotic caspase 3

2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2153

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Rats exposed to 2.45 GHz of non-ionizing radiation exhibit behavioral changes with increased brain expression of apoptotic caspase 3 Rini Varghese, Anuradha Majumdar, Girish Kumar, Amit Shukla. Rats exposed to 2.45 GHz of non-ionizing radiation exhibit behavioral changes with increased brain expression of apoptotic caspase 3. Pathophysiology. 25(1):19-30. March 2018. doi.org Highlights • The exposure to non-ionizing radiation of 2.45 GHz caused detrimental changes in rat brain leading to learning and memory decline and expression of anxiety behavior. • The exposure to radiation induced oxidative stress and fall in brain antioxidants. • The exposure triggered the gene expression of caspase 3. Abstract In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in use of Wi-Fi devices along with mobile phones, globally. Wi-Fi devices make use of 2.4 GHz frequency. The present study evaluated the impact of 2.45 GHz radiation exposure for 4 h/day for 45 days on behavioral and oxidative stress parameters in female Sprague Dawley rats. Behavioral tests of anxiety, learning and memory were started from day 38. Oxidative stress parameters were estimated in brain homogenates after sacrificing the rats on day 45. In morris water maze, elevated plus maze and light dark box test, the 2.45 GHz radiation exposed rats elicited memory decline and anxiety behavior. Exposure decreased activities of super oxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione levels whereas increased levels of brain lipid peroxidation was encountered in the radiation exposed rats, showing compromised anti-oxidant defense. Expression of caspase 3 gene in brain samples were quantified which unraveled notable increase in the apoptotic marker caspase 3 in 2.45 GHz radiation exposed group as compared to sham exposed group. No significant changes were observed in histopathological examinations and brain levels of TNF-α. Analysis of dendritic arborization of neurons showcased reduction in number of dendritic branching and intersections which corresponds to alteration in dendritic structure of neurons, affecting neuronal signaling. The study clearly indicates that exposure of rats to microwave radiation of 2.45 GHz leads to detrimental changes in brain leading to lowering of learning and memory and expression of anxiety behavior in rats along with fall in brain antioxidant enzyme systems. Excerpts The animals of group 2 were exposed to the 2.45 GHz radiation for 4 h/day for 45 days between 10 am to 6 pm, at a power density of 7.88 W/m2. ... the radiated power absorbed by the body of rat was calculated to be 0.04728 W. Conclusion The study was an attempt to draw attention towards the adverse effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations (NI-EMR) in the frequency that is used widely in the field of telecommunication. Many studies have captured the impact of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies, however the frequency of radiation in Wi-Fi range has not been much explored. Along with the use of cell phones there is a growing concern with the use of Wi-Fi devices which continuously emit radiations in the frequency of 2.4 GHz. Hence we thought it prudent to investigate the impact of radiation of the frequency of 2.45 GHz. It can be concluded that the exposure to non- ionizing radiation of 2.45 GHz caused detrimental changes in rat brain leading to learning and memory decline and expression of anxiety behavior along with fall in brain antioxidants. The exposure triggered the gene expression of caspase 3 which plays a major role in the apoptotic pathway. The chronic impact of non-ionizing radiation needs to be thoroughly evaluated in humans so that combative steps can be taken. sciencedirect.com

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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

PopulationFemale Sprague Dawley rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 4 h/day for 45 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation (4 h/day for 45 days; power density 7.88 W/m^2) showed memory decline and anxiety-like behavior versus sham. Exposure was associated with decreased brain antioxidant defenses (lower SOD, catalase, reduced glutathione) and increased lipid peroxidation, increased caspase-3 gene expression, and reduced dendritic branching/intersections; no significant changes were reported for brain histopathology or TNF-α.

Outcomes measured

Anxiety behavior (elevated plus maze, light dark box)
Learning and memory (Morris water maze)
Oxidative stress/antioxidant markers in brain (SOD, catalase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation)
Caspase 3 gene expression in brain
Histopathology of brain
Brain TNF-α levels
Neuronal dendritic arborization (branching/intersections)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Specific dosimetry metrics such as SAR not reported (only power density and absorbed power mentioned)
Animal study; human relevance not directly assessed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "Wi-Fi devices",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h/day for 45 days"
  },
  "population": "Female Sprague Dawley rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Anxiety behavior (elevated plus maze, light dark box)",
    "Learning and memory (Morris water maze)",
    "Oxidative stress/antioxidant markers in brain (SOD, catalase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation)",
    "Caspase 3 gene expression in brain",
    "Histopathology of brain",
    "Brain TNF-α levels",
    "Neuronal dendritic arborization (branching/intersections)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation (4 h/day for 45 days; power density 7.88 W/m^2) showed memory decline and anxiety-like behavior versus sham. Exposure was associated with decreased brain antioxidant defenses (lower SOD, catalase, reduced glutathione) and increased lipid peroxidation, increased caspase-3 gene expression, and reduced dendritic branching/intersections; no significant changes were reported for brain histopathology or TNF-α.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Specific dosimetry metrics such as SAR not reported (only power density and absorbed power mentioned)",
    "Animal study; human relevance not directly assessed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.45 GHz",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "microwave radiation",
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "Sprague Dawley rats",
    "anxiety",
    "learning and memory",
    "oxidative stress",
    "caspase 3",
    "lipid peroxidation",
    "antioxidants",
    "dendritic arborization"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study explicitly frames exposure as Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz) and evaluates biological/behavioral effects."
    }
  ]
}

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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.pathophys.2017.11.001
PubMed: Not supplied

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