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The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone.

Bratislavske lekarske listy · 2012 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6523

Rats exposed to microwave radiation had significant body mass reduction versus controls after 20, 40, and 60 days (p<0.001) and showed anxiety-related behavior after 10 days. In irradiated rats, melatonin pretreatment was associated with higher body weight ve…

Study snapshot

PublicationBratislavske lekarske listy · 2012
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Microwave radiation (MW) produced by wireless telecommunications and a number of electrical devices used in household or in healthcare institutions may cause various disorders in human organism. On the other hand, melatonin is a potent antioxidant, immunostimulator and neuromodulator. The aim of this research was to determine body mass and behaviour changes in rats after a chronic microwave exposure, as well as to determine the effects of melatonin on body mass and behaviour in irradiated rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into the four experimental groups: I group (control) - rats treated with 0,9 % saline, II group (Mel) - rats treated with melatonin (2 mg/kg), III group (MW) - rats exposed to MW radiation (4 h/day), IV group (MW+Mel) - rats, which were both exposed to MW radiation and received melatonin premedication (2 mg/kg). RESULTS: A significant body mass reduction was noted in animals exposed to MW radiation when compared to controls after 20, 40 and 60 days (p<0.001). Furthermore, body weight was significantly increased (p<0.05) in irradiated rats, which received melatonin pretreatment (MW+Mel) in comparison to irradiated group (MW) after 20 days. Microwave radiation exposed animals showed an anxiety related behaviour (agitation, irritability) after 10 days of exposure. After the radiation source removal, changes in behaviour were less noticeable. Melatonin administration to irradiated rats caused a decrease in the stress induced behaviour. CONCLUSION: Microwave radiation causes body mass decrease and anxiety related behaviour in rats, however melatonin causes a reverse of those effects on both body weight and behaviour of irradiated animals (Fig. 2, Ref. 32).

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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
PopulationWistar rats
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 4 h/day; assessed after 10, 20, 40, and 60 days (chronic exposure)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to microwave radiation had significant body mass reduction versus controls after 20, 40, and 60 days (p<0.001) and showed anxiety-related behavior after 10 days. In irradiated rats, melatonin pretreatment was associated with higher body weight versus the irradiated-only group after 20 days (p<0.05) and decreased stress-induced behavior.

Outcomes measured

  • Body mass/weight change
  • Anxiety-related/stress-induced behavior (agitation, irritability)

Limitations

  • No exposure frequency or SAR reported in abstract
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Behavioral outcomes described qualitatively; specific tests/scales not specified in abstract
  • Unclear details of exposure setup and dosimetry in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h/day; assessed after 10, 20, 40, and 60 days (chronic exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Body mass/weight change",
    "Anxiety-related/stress-induced behavior (agitation, irritability)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to microwave radiation had significant body mass reduction versus controls after 20, 40, and 60 days (p<0.001) and showed anxiety-related behavior after 10 days. In irradiated rats, melatonin pretreatment was associated with higher body weight versus the irradiated-only group after 20 days (p<0.05) and decreased stress-induced behavior.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No exposure frequency or SAR reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Behavioral outcomes described qualitatively; specific tests/scales not specified in abstract",
    "Unclear details of exposure setup and dosimetry in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "mobile phone",
    "melatonin",
    "Wistar rats",
    "body mass",
    "anxiety",
    "behavior",
    "chronic exposure"
  ],
  "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: 10.4149/bll_2012_062
PubMed: 22616582

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