Chronic non-thermal exposure of modulated 2450 MHz microwave radiation alters thyroid hormones and behavior of male rats.

International journal of radiation biology · 2008 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6475

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2008

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the effects of leakage microwave (2450 MHz) irradiation on thyroid hormones and behavior of male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were carried out on two groups of male rats (exposure and control, respectively). Radio-immuno assay (RIA) methods were used for estimation of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotrophin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The assessments of behavioral changes were performed in Open-Field (OF) and Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) apparatuses. RESULTS: Following chronic microwave exposure, rats were found hyperactive and aggressive on the 16th and 21st days. Behavioral changes in OF were analyzed and found to be significantly changed from controls (p < 0.05) for immobilization, rearing and ambulation behavior. In EPM, rats showed increased activity with decreased time spent in the open arm and more time spent in the center on the 11th (p < 0.05), 16th (p < 0.05) and 21st day (p < 0.01) after irradiation. Changes in behavioral parameters are also correlated with the trend of changes, compared to control animals, in hormonal blood levels of T3 (decreased on the 16th day, p < 0.05 and 21st day, p < 0.01) and T4 (increased on the 21st day, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low energy microwave irradiation may be harmful as it is sufficient to alter the levels of thyroid hormones as well as the emotional reactivity of the irradiated compared to control animals.

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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 directionharm

Populationmale rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · chronic; behavioral/hormonal assessments reported on days 11, 16, and 21

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, chronically exposed male rats showed behavioral changes including hyperactivity/aggression (noted on days 16 and 21) and significant changes in Open-Field and Elevated Plus-Maze measures at multiple time points. Hormonal changes included decreased T3 on days 16 and 21 and increased T4 on day 21; behavioral changes were reported as correlated with trends in these hormone changes.

Outcomes measured

Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH)
Behavior in Open-Field test (immobilization, rearing, ambulation)
Behavior in Elevated Plus-Maze (activity; time in open arm; time in center)
Aggression/hyperactivity

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., power density/SAR) not reported in abstract
Non-thermal characterization stated but temperature control/details not provided in abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "leakage microwave irradiation",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "chronic; behavioral/hormonal assessments reported on days 11, 16, and 21"
  },
  "population": "male rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH)",
    "Behavior in Open-Field test (immobilization, rearing, ambulation)",
    "Behavior in Elevated Plus-Maze (activity; time in open arm; time in center)",
    "Aggression/hyperactivity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, chronically exposed male rats showed behavioral changes including hyperactivity/aggression (noted on days 16 and 21) and significant changes in Open-Field and Elevated Plus-Maze measures at multiple time points. Hormonal changes included decreased T3 on days 16 and 21 and increased T4 on day 21; behavioral changes were reported as correlated with trends in these hormone changes.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., power density/SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Non-thermal characterization stated but temperature control/details not provided in abstract",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2450 MHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "non-thermal",
    "chronic exposure",
    "male rats",
    "thyroid hormones",
    "T3",
    "T4",
    "TSH",
    "behavior",
    "open-field",
    "elevated plus-maze",
    "aggression",
    "hyperactivity"
  ],
  "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: 10.1080/09553000802085441
PubMed: 18470749

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