Changes in mitochondrial functioning with electromagnetic radiation of ultra high frequency as revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance methods

Int J Radiat Biol · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6729

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Radiat Biol · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of ultra high frequency (UHF) in the doses equivalent to the maximal permitted energy load for the staffs of the radar stations on the biochemical processes that occur in the cell organelles. Materials and methods: Liver, cardiac and aorta tissues from the male rats exposed to non-thermal UHF EMR in pulsed and continuous modes were studied during 28 days after the irradiation by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods including a spin trapping of superoxide radicals. Results: The qualitative and quantitative disturbances in electron transport chain (ETC) of mitochondria are registered. A formation of the iron-nitrosyl complexes of nitric oxide (NO) radicals with the iron-sulphide (FeS) proteins, the decreased activity of FeS-protein N2 of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex and flavo-ubisemiquinone growth combined with the increased rates of superoxide production are obtained. Conclusions: (i) Abnormalities in the mitochondrial ETC of liver and aorta cells are more pronounced for animals radiated in a pulsed mode; (ii) the alterations in the functioning of the mitochondrial ETC cause increase of superoxide radicals generation rate in all samples, formation of cellular hypoxia, and intensification of the oxide-initiated metabolic changes; and (iii) electron paramagnetic resonance methods could be used to track the qualitative and quantitative changes in the mitochondrial ETC caused by the UHF EMR.

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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

ExposureRF · irradiation; tissues studied during 28 days after irradiation

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In liver, cardiac, and aorta tissues from male rats exposed to non-thermal UHF EMR (pulsed and continuous), qualitative and quantitative disturbances in the mitochondrial ETC were reported, including iron-nitrosyl complex formation, decreased activity of FeS-protein N2, increased flavo-ubisemiquinone, and increased superoxide production rates. Effects in liver and aorta were reported as more pronounced with pulsed-mode exposure.

Outcomes measured

Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) disturbances
Iron-nitrosyl complex formation (NO radicals with FeS proteins)
Activity of FeS-protein N2 of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex
Flavo-ubisemiquinone levels
Superoxide radical production (spin trapping)
Cellular hypoxia (as concluded by authors)

Limitations

Frequency and dosimetry details (e.g., exact frequency, SAR) not provided in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure protocol details (timing, duration, intensity) not fully specified in abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "radar stations (occupational-equivalent)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "irradiation; tissues studied during 28 days after irradiation"
  },
  "population": "Male rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) disturbances",
    "Iron-nitrosyl complex formation (NO radicals with FeS proteins)",
    "Activity of FeS-protein N2 of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex",
    "Flavo-ubisemiquinone levels",
    "Superoxide radical production (spin trapping)",
    "Cellular hypoxia (as concluded by authors)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In liver, cardiac, and aorta tissues from male rats exposed to non-thermal UHF EMR (pulsed and continuous), qualitative and quantitative disturbances in the mitochondrial ETC were reported, including iron-nitrosyl complex formation, decreased activity of FeS-protein N2, increased flavo-ubisemiquinone, and increased superoxide production rates. Effects in liver and aorta were reported as more pronounced with pulsed-mode exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and dosimetry details (e.g., exact frequency, SAR) not provided in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure protocol details (timing, duration, intensity) not fully specified in abstract",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ultra high frequency",
    "UHF",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "non-thermal",
    "pulsed",
    "continuous",
    "radar",
    "occupational exposure",
    "mitochondria",
    "electron transport chain",
    "EPR",
    "spin trapping",
    "superoxide",
    "nitric oxide",
    "iron-sulphide proteins",
    "liver",
    "aorta",
    "heart"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Exposure described as equivalent to maximal permitted energy load for radar station staff."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/09553002.2014.899448
PubMed: 24597749

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