RF Safe

Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats.

Indian journal of biochemistry & biophysics · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6545

Compared with sham-exposed rats, 900 MHz microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increased oxidative stress markers in blood (increased MDA and protein carbonyl), with unaltered GSH content.

Study snapshot

PublicationIndian journal of biochemistry & biophysics · 2013
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Use of wireless communicating devices is increasing at an exponential rate in present time and is raising serious concerns about possible adverse effects of microwave (MW) radiation emitted from these devices on human health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 900 MHz MW radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in blood of Fischer rats. Animals were divided into two groups (6 animals/group): Group I (MW-exposed) and Group II (Sham-exposed). Animals were subjected to MW exposure (Frequency 900 MHz; specific absorption rate 8.4738 x 10(-5) W/kg) in Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell (GTEM) for 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week). Subsequently, cognitive function and oxidative stress parameters were examined for each group. Results showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increase in oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase in levels of MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl (a marker of protein oxidation) and unaltered GSH content in blood. Thus, the study demonstrated that low level MW radiation had significant effect on cognitive function and was also capable of leading to oxidative stress.

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
PopulationFischer rats
Sample size12
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 8.4738e-05 W/kg · 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham-exposed rats, 900 MHz microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increased oxidative stress markers in blood (increased MDA and protein carbonyl), with unaltered GSH content.

Outcomes measured

  • cognitive function
  • oxidative stress in blood
  • MDA (lipid peroxidation)
  • protein carbonyl (protein oxidation)
  • GSH content

Limitations

  • Small sample size (6 animals/group)
  • Oxidative stress assessed in blood only (no other tissues mentioned)
  • Exposure scenario uses a GTEM cell; generalizability to real-world device exposures not addressed in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless communicating devices (modeled exposure in GTEM cell)",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 8.4738e-05,
    "duration": "30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week)"
  },
  "population": "Fischer rats",
  "sample_size": 12,
  "outcomes": [
    "cognitive function",
    "oxidative stress in blood",
    "MDA (lipid peroxidation)",
    "protein carbonyl (protein oxidation)",
    "GSH content"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with sham-exposed rats, 900 MHz microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increased oxidative stress markers in blood (increased MDA and protein carbonyl), with unaltered GSH content.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (6 animals/group)",
    "Oxidative stress assessed in blood only (no other tissues mentioned)",
    "Exposure scenario uses a GTEM cell; generalizability to real-world device exposures not addressed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "RF exposure",
    "GTEM cell",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "cognitive function",
    "oxidative stress",
    "MDA",
    "protein carbonyl",
    "GSH",
    "Fischer rats"
  ],
  "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: Not supplied
PubMed: 23720885

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