RF Safe

Effect of 950 MHz UHF electromagnetic radiation on biomarkers of oxidative damage, metabolism of UFA and antioxidants in the livers of young rats of different ages

Int J Radiat Biol · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2759

In neonates, exposure was associated with low TBARS and lower concentrations of UFA, and lower catalase expression. Protein carbonyl accumulation did not differ by age. DNA damage differed in exposed rats at 15 or 30 days; the conclusions state no genotoxicit…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Radiat Biol · 2014
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effect of 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (UHF EMR) on biomarkers of oxidative damage, as well as to verify the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and the expression of the catalase in the livers of rats of different ages. Materials and methods: Twelve rats were equally divided into two groups as controls (CR) and exposed (ER), for each age (0, 6, 15 and 30 days). Radiation exposure lasted half an hour per day for up to 51 days (21 days of gestation and 6, 15 or 30 days of life outside the womb). The specific absorption rate (SAR) ranged from 1.3-1.0 W/kg. The damage to lipids, proteins and DNA was verified by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls and comets, respectively. UFA were determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The expression of catalase was by Western blotting. Results: The neonates had low levels of TBARS and concentrations of UFA after exposure. There was no age difference in the accumulation of protein carbonyls for any age. The DNA damage of ER 15 or 30 days was different. The exposed neonates exhibited lower expression of catalase. Conclusions: 950 MHz UHF EMR does not cause oxidative stress (OS), and it is not genotoxic to the livers of neonates or those of 6 and 15 day old rats, but it changes the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in neonates. For rats of 30 days, no OS, but it is genotoxic to the livers of ER to total body irradiation.

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 directionmixed
PopulationYoung rats of different ages (0, 6, 15, 30 days)
Sample size12
ExposureRF · 950 MHz · Half an hour per day for up to 51 days (21 days gestation plus 6, 15, or 30 days postnatal)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In neonates, exposure was associated with low TBARS and lower concentrations of UFA, and lower catalase expression. Protein carbonyl accumulation did not differ by age. DNA damage differed in exposed rats at 15 or 30 days; the conclusions state no genotoxicity for neonates, 6- and 15-day-old rats, but genotoxicity in 30-day-old rats.

Outcomes measured

  • Oxidative damage biomarkers in liver (TBARS, protein carbonyls)
  • DNA damage in liver (comet assay)
  • Unsaturated fatty acids / polyunsaturated fatty acids in liver (gas chromatography)
  • Catalase expression in liver (Western blot)

Limitations

  • Exposure source/setup not described in the abstract (e.g., device/field characteristics beyond frequency and SAR range).
  • Small total sample size (12 rats) with multiple age strata.
  • Some results/conclusions are ambiguous in the abstract (e.g., DNA damage described as different at 15 or 30 days, while conclusions state no genotoxicity at 15 days).
  • SAR reported as a range (1.3–1.0 W/kg) without age-specific values.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 950,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Half an hour per day for up to 51 days (21 days gestation plus 6, 15, or 30 days postnatal)"
  },
  "population": "Young rats of different ages (0, 6, 15, 30 days)",
  "sample_size": 12,
  "outcomes": [
    "Oxidative damage biomarkers in liver (TBARS, protein carbonyls)",
    "DNA damage in liver (comet assay)",
    "Unsaturated fatty acids / polyunsaturated fatty acids in liver (gas chromatography)",
    "Catalase expression in liver (Western blot)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In neonates, exposure was associated with low TBARS and lower concentrations of UFA, and lower catalase expression. Protein carbonyl accumulation did not differ by age. DNA damage differed in exposed rats at 15 or 30 days; the conclusions state no genotoxicity for neonates, 6- and 15-day-old rats, but genotoxicity in 30-day-old rats.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure source/setup not described in the abstract (e.g., device/field characteristics beyond frequency and SAR range).",
    "Small total sample size (12 rats) with multiple age strata.",
    "Some results/conclusions are ambiguous in the abstract (e.g., DNA damage described as different at 15 or 30 days, while conclusions state no genotoxicity at 15 days).",
    "SAR reported as a range (1.3–1.0 W/kg) without age-specific values."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "950 MHz",
    "UHF EMR",
    "RF exposure",
    "rat liver",
    "oxidative stress",
    "TBARS",
    "protein carbonyls",
    "comet assay",
    "DNA damage",
    "unsaturated fatty acids",
    "PUFA",
    "catalase"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/09553002.2013.817697
PubMed: 23789976

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