Effects of electromagnetic radiation exposure on stress-related behaviors and stress hormones in male wistar rats.

Biomolecules & therapeutics · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4646

ELF-EMF exposure at 1 and 5 Hz did not alter body weight or food and water intake. Plasma ACTH increased at both frequencies, while noradrenaline showed an overall reduction; plasma glucose increased with 5 Hz and decreased with 1 Hz. Stress-like behaviors (r…

Study snapshot

PublicationBiomolecules & therapeutics · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that electromagnetic waves, as the one of the most important physical factors, may alter cognitive and non-cognitive behaviors, depending on the frequency and energy. Moreover, non-ionizing radiation of low energy waves e.g. very low frequency waves could alter this phenomenon via alterations in neurotransmitters and neurohormones. In this study, short, medium, and long-term exposure to the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) (1 and 5 Hz radiation) on behavioral, hormonal, and metabolic changes in male Wistar rats (250 g) were studied. In addition, changes in plasma concentrations for two main stress hormones, noradrenaline and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were evaluated. ELF-EMF exposure did not alter body weight, and food and water intake. Plasma glucose level was increased and decreased in the groups which exposed to the 5 and 1Hz wave, respectively. Plasma ACTH concentration increased in both using frequencies, whereas nor-adrenaline concentration showed overall reduction. At last, numbers of rearing, sniffing, locomotor activity was increased in group receiving 5 Hz wave over the time. In conclusions, these data showed that the effects of 1 and 5 Hz on the hormonal, metabolic and stress-like behaviors may be different. Moreover, the influence of waves on stress system is depending on time of exposure.

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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 Wistar rats (250 g)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · short, medium, and long-term exposure (durations not specified)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Stress-related behaviors (rearing, sniffing, locomotor activity)
Plasma stress hormones (ACTH, noradrenaline)
Body weight
Food intake
Water intake
Plasma glucose

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration and exposure setup details not specified in abstract
Only male rats studied; generalizability to other sexes/species not addressed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "short, medium, and long-term exposure (durations not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats (250 g)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Stress-related behaviors (rearing, sniffing, locomotor activity)",
    "Plasma stress hormones (ACTH, noradrenaline)",
    "Body weight",
    "Food intake",
    "Water intake",
    "Plasma glucose"
  ],
  "main_findings": "ELF-EMF exposure at 1 and 5 Hz did not alter body weight or food and water intake. Plasma ACTH increased at both frequencies, while noradrenaline showed an overall reduction; plasma glucose increased with 5 Hz and decreased with 1 Hz. Stress-like behaviors (rearing, sniffing, locomotor activity) increased over time in the 5 Hz group.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration and exposure setup details not specified in abstract",
    "Only male rats studied; generalizability to other sexes/species not addressed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "1 Hz",
    "5 Hz",
    "Wistar rats",
    "stress hormones",
    "ACTH",
    "noradrenaline",
    "glucose",
    "locomotor activity",
    "rearing",
    "sniffing"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental ELF-EMF exposure study in male Wistar rats assessing behavioral and hormonal 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

DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2014.054
PubMed: 25489427

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