Combined Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and X-Ray in Renal Tissue and Function.

Research and reports in urology · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5620

Study snapshot

PublicationResearch and reports in urology · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: Biochemical and histopathological properties of renal tissues were reported to be affected by both radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and ionizing radiation. The radiation-induced changes in the kidney, including the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), could lead to adverse health outcomes such as chronic kidney disease. These complications signify the importance of the research in this field. Thus, in this study, the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, as well as their combination, were assessed by evaluating the alteration in BUN, Cr, and histopathological changes in kidney tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were exposed to either 900/1800MHz (mobile phone) or 2.4 GHz RF-EMF (Wi-Fi) radiation for 14 days, 8Gy x-ray, or their combination. Sera were collected from 2 mL of rat blood, then BUN and Cr levels were determined. Also, renal samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: Both BUN and Cr levels raised non-significantly after exposure to 8 Gy x-rays. Moreover, all measurements in the samples of x-ray groups were in borderline or higher than normal values. The BUN levels of control, Wi-Fi, x-ray, and Wi-Fi+x-ray groups were not significantly different. However, Cr levels in the Wi-Fi group were significantly higher than those of the controls, and BUN to Cr ratio levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. Also, tubular atrophy and vessel wall thickening were associated with these exposures. CONCLUSION: Exposure to 900/1800MHz, 2400 MHz EMF can alter the kidney function. However, pre-exposure to 900/1800MHz EMF could modulate the acute adverse effects of lethal x-ray dose, which addresses the adaptive response in the kidney.

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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

Sample size96

ExposureRF · 14 days (RF-EMF exposure); 8 Gy x-ray

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In rats, creatinine levels in the Wi‑Fi group were significantly higher than controls and the BUN/Cr ratio was significantly lower than controls; BUN levels among control, Wi‑Fi, x‑ray, and Wi‑Fi+x‑ray groups were not significantly different. X‑ray exposure (8 Gy) produced non-significant increases in BUN and creatinine with measurements described as borderline or higher than normal, and tubular atrophy and vessel wall thickening were associated with exposures. The authors conclude RF-EMF can alter kidney function and suggest pre-exposure to 900/1800 MHz EMF could modulate acute adverse effects of a lethal x-ray dose (adaptive response).

Outcomes measured

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine (Cr)
BUN/Cr ratio
Renal histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin staining; tubular atrophy; vessel wall thickening)

Limitations

No SAR or detailed dosimetry reported in the abstract
Statistical significance is not reported for all comparisons and histopathology findings are described qualitatively in the abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans is not addressed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone; wi-fi; x-ray (ionizing radiation)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "14 days (RF-EMF exposure); 8 Gy x-ray"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": 96,
  "outcomes": [
    "Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)",
    "Creatinine (Cr)",
    "BUN/Cr ratio",
    "Renal histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin staining; tubular atrophy; vessel wall thickening)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In rats, creatinine levels in the Wi‑Fi group were significantly higher than controls and the BUN/Cr ratio was significantly lower than controls; BUN levels among control, Wi‑Fi, x‑ray, and Wi‑Fi+x‑ray groups were not significantly different. X‑ray exposure (8 Gy) produced non-significant increases in BUN and creatinine with measurements described as borderline or higher than normal, and tubular atrophy and vessel wall thickening were associated with exposures. The authors conclude RF-EMF can alter kidney function and suggest pre-exposure to 900/1800 MHz EMF could modulate acute adverse effects of a lethal x-ray dose (adaptive response).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or detailed dosimetry reported in the abstract",
    "Statistical significance is not reported for all comparisons and histopathology findings are described qualitatively in the abstract",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans is not addressed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "2.4 GHz",
    "900 MHz",
    "1800 MHz",
    "x-ray",
    "ionizing radiation",
    "kidney",
    "renal function",
    "BUN",
    "creatinine",
    "histopathology",
    "Wistar rats",
    "adaptive response"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Includes 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi RF-EMF exposure (animal study)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.2147/rru.s257365
PubMed: 33150143

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