Lasting hepatotoxic effects of prenatal mobile phone exposure.

The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2017 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 4843

Offspring of EMF-exposed pregnant rats had increased liver MDA and decreased liver GSH, with increased serum ALT and AST at 60 days postpartum. Histopathology in the EMF group showed hepatocyte degeneration with pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis.

Study snapshot

PublicationThe journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the livers of rats born to mothers exposed to electromagnetic field (EMF) were examined 60 days postpartum for biochemical and histopathological changes. METHODS: Pregnant rats were exposed to radiation (900 MHz EMF, 24 h/day for 20 days) using a digital signal generator by placing the device centrally under the cage, which formed the study (EMF) group, while untreated matching rats served as controls. Livers and blood were obtained from litters (seven males and seven females) of both groups 60 days after birth, which were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05) that was accompanied by a significant fall in glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.01) in the liver. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, the liver sections of the EMF group showed intense degeneration in hepatocytes with cytoplasmic eosinophilic structures, pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the intrauterin harmful effects of EMF on the livers of rats persist into adulthood.

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 directionharm

PopulationPregnant rats and their offspring (livers of offspring examined 60 days postpartum)

Sample size28

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 24 h/day for 20 days (prenatal exposure); outcomes assessed 60 days postpartum

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Liver malondialdehyde (MDA)
Liver glutathione (GSH)
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Liver histopathology (hepatocyte degeneration, fibrosis)

Limitations

No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
Small sample size (seven males and seven females per group)
Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain
Exposure described as 24 h/day, which may not reflect typical real-world mobile phone exposure

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h/day for 20 days (prenatal exposure); outcomes assessed 60 days postpartum"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant rats and their offspring (livers of offspring examined 60 days postpartum)",
  "sample_size": 28,
  "outcomes": [
    "Liver malondialdehyde (MDA)",
    "Liver glutathione (GSH)",
    "Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)",
    "Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)",
    "Liver histopathology (hepatocyte degeneration, fibrosis)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Offspring of EMF-exposed pregnant rats had increased liver MDA and decreased liver GSH, with increased serum ALT and AST at 60 days postpartum. Histopathology in the EMF group showed hepatocyte degeneration with pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
    "Small sample size (seven males and seven females per group)",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain",
    "Exposure described as 24 h/day, which may not reflect typical real-world mobile phone exposure"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "prenatal exposure",
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "rat",
    "liver",
    "hepatotoxicity",
    "oxidative stress",
    "MDA",
    "GSH",
    "ALT",
    "AST",
    "fibrosis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "rf-mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz EMF described as mobile phone-related radiation."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1214124
PubMed: 27427155

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library