Effects of 900-MHz electromagnetic field emitted from cellular phone on brain oxidative stress and some vitamin levels of guinea pigs.

Brain research · 2007 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 5054

Study snapshot

PublicationBrain research · 2007

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This study was designed to demonstrate the effects of 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted from cellular phone on brain tissue and also blood malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), retinol (vitamin A), vitamin D(3) and tocopherol (vitamin E) levels, and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity of guinea pigs. Fourteen male guinea pigs, weighing 500-800 g were randomly divided into one of two experimental groups: control and treatment (EMF-exposed), each containing seven animals. Animals in treatment group were exposed to 890- to 915-MHz EMF (217-Hz pulse rate, 2-W maximum peak power, SAR 0.95 w/kg) of a cellular phone for 12 h/day (11-h 45-min stand-by and 15-min spiking mode) for 30 days. Control guinea pigs were housed in a separate room without exposing EMF of a cellular phone. Blood samples were collected through a cardiac puncture and brains were removed after decapitation for the biochemical analysis at the end of the 30 days of experimental period. It was found that the MDA level increased (P<0.05), GSH level and CAT enzyme activity decreased (P<0.05), and vitamins A, E and D(3) levels did not change (P>0.05) in the brain tissues of EMF-exposed guinea pigs. In addition, MDA, vitamins A, D(3) and E levels, and CAT enzyme activity increased (P<0.05), and GSH level decreased (P<0.05) in the blood of EMF-exposed guinea pigs. It was concluded that electromagnetic field emitted from cellular phone might produce oxidative stress in brain tissue of guinea pigs. However, more studies are needed to demonstrate whether these effects are harmful or/and affect the neural functions.

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

PopulationMale guinea pigs (500–800 g)

Sample size14

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 0.95 W/kg · 12 h/day for 30 days (11 h 45 min stand-by and 15 min spiking mode)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Fourteen male guinea pigs were randomized to control vs EMF exposure from a cellular phone (890–915 MHz, 217 Hz pulse rate, 2 W maximum peak power, SAR 0.95 W/kg) for 12 h/day for 30 days. In brain tissue, MDA increased and GSH and CAT decreased (all P<0.05), while vitamins A, E, and D3 did not change (P>0.05). In blood, MDA, vitamins A/D3/E, and CAT increased (P<0.05) and GSH decreased (P<0.05). The authors concluded the exposure might produce oxidative stress in guinea pig brain tissue.

Outcomes measured

Brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA)
Brain tissue glutathione (GSH)
Brain tissue retinol (vitamin A)
Brain tissue vitamin D3
Brain tissue tocopherol (vitamin E)
Brain tissue catalase (CAT) activity
Blood MDA
Blood GSH
Blood retinol (vitamin A)
Blood vitamin D3
Blood tocopherol (vitamin E)
Blood CAT activity

Limitations

Small sample size (n=14; 7 per group)
Animal study; relevance to humans not established
Authors note more studies are needed to determine whether effects are harmful and/or affect neural functions

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 0.95,
    "duration": "12 h/day for 30 days (11 h 45 min stand-by and 15 min spiking mode)"
  },
  "population": "Male guinea pigs (500–800 g)",
  "sample_size": 14,
  "outcomes": [
    "Brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA)",
    "Brain tissue glutathione (GSH)",
    "Brain tissue retinol (vitamin A)",
    "Brain tissue vitamin D3",
    "Brain tissue tocopherol (vitamin E)",
    "Brain tissue catalase (CAT) activity",
    "Blood MDA",
    "Blood GSH",
    "Blood retinol (vitamin A)",
    "Blood vitamin D3",
    "Blood tocopherol (vitamin E)",
    "Blood CAT activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Fourteen male guinea pigs were randomized to control vs EMF exposure from a cellular phone (890–915 MHz, 217 Hz pulse rate, 2 W maximum peak power, SAR 0.95 W/kg) for 12 h/day for 30 days. In brain tissue, MDA increased and GSH and CAT decreased (all P<0.05), while vitamins A, E, and D3 did not change (P>0.05). In blood, MDA, vitamins A/D3/E, and CAT increased (P<0.05) and GSH decreased (P<0.05). The authors concluded the exposure might produce oxidative stress in guinea pig brain tissue.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=14; 7 per group)",
    "Animal study; relevance to humans not established",
    "Authors note more studies are needed to determine whether effects are harmful and/or affect neural functions"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "890–915 MHz",
    "cellular phone",
    "RF-EMF",
    "SAR 0.95 W/kg",
    "oxidative stress",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "glutathione",
    "catalase",
    "vitamin A",
    "vitamin D3",
    "vitamin E",
    "guinea pig",
    "brain tissue",
    "blood"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.07.015
PubMed: 17674954

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library