RF Safe

Effects of chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on energy balance in developing rats.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4492

Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats exposed continuously to 900 MHz RF-EMF (1 V/m) for 5 weeks showed a higher frequency of REM sleep episodes than 11 controls at both 24 °C and 31 °C. At 31 °C, exposed rats had lower subcutaneous tail temperature across sleep…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2013
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the control of body energy balance in developing organisms have not been studied, despite the involvement of energy status in vital physiological functions. We examined the effects of chronic RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz, 1 V m(-1)) on the main functions involved in body energy homeostasis (feeding behaviour, sleep and thermoregulatory processes). Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats were exposed to continuous RF-EMF for 5 weeks at 24 °C of air temperature (T a) and compared with 11 non-exposed animals. Hence, at the beginning of the 6th week of exposure, the functions were recorded at T a of 24 °C and then at 31 °C. We showed that the frequency of rapid eye movement sleep episodes was greater in the RF-EMF-exposed group, independently of T a (+42.1 % at 24 °C and +31.6 % at 31 °C). The other effects of RF-EMF exposure on several sleep parameters were dependent on T a. At 31 °C, RF-EMF-exposed animals had a significantly lower subcutaneous tail temperature (-1.21 °C) than controls at all sleep stages; this suggested peripheral vasoconstriction, which was confirmed in an experiment with the vasodilatator prazosin. Exposure to RF-EMF also increased daytime food intake (+0.22 g h(-1)). Most of the observed effects of RF-EMF exposure were dependent on T a. Exposure to RF-EMF appears to modify the functioning of vasomotor tone by acting peripherally through α-adrenoceptors. The elicited vasoconstriction may restrict body cooling, whereas energy intake increases. Our results show that RF-EMF exposure can induce energy-saving processes without strongly disturbing the overall sleep pattern.

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
PopulationJuvenile male Wistar rats (developing rats)
Sample size24
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · continuous exposure for 5 weeks
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats exposed continuously to 900 MHz RF-EMF (1 V/m) for 5 weeks showed a higher frequency of REM sleep episodes than 11 controls at both 24 °C and 31 °C. At 31 °C, exposed rats had lower subcutaneous tail temperature across sleep stages, consistent with peripheral vasoconstriction (supported by a prazosin experiment), and exposure increased daytime food intake.

Outcomes measured

  • Feeding behaviour/food intake
  • Sleep parameters (including REM sleep episodes)
  • Thermoregulatory processes (e.g., subcutaneous tail temperature, vasomotor tone/vasoconstriction)

Limitations

  • No SAR reported (exposure described as 1 V/m only)
  • Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
  • Small sample size (13 exposed, 11 controls)
  • Several effects described as dependent on ambient temperature (Ta), suggesting context-specific findings
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure for 5 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Juvenile male Wistar rats (developing rats)",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Feeding behaviour/food intake",
    "Sleep parameters (including REM sleep episodes)",
    "Thermoregulatory processes (e.g., subcutaneous tail temperature, vasomotor tone/vasoconstriction)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats exposed continuously to 900 MHz RF-EMF (1 V/m) for 5 weeks showed a higher frequency of REM sleep episodes than 11 controls at both 24 °C and 31 °C. At 31 °C, exposed rats had lower subcutaneous tail temperature across sleep stages, consistent with peripheral vasoconstriction (supported by a prazosin experiment), and exposure increased daytime food intake.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR reported (exposure described as 1 V/m only)",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Small sample size (13 exposed, 11 controls)",
    "Several effects described as dependent on ambient temperature (Ta), suggesting context-specific findings"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "900 MHz",
    "developing rats",
    "Wistar rats",
    "energy balance",
    "food intake",
    "sleep",
    "REM sleep",
    "thermoregulation",
    "tail temperature",
    "vasoconstriction",
    "alpha-adrenoceptors",
    "prazosin",
    "ambient temperature"
  ],
  "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: 10.1007/s11356-012-1266-5
PubMed: 23143821

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