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Prenatal 3.5 GHz radiofrequency exposure induces renal histological changes and DNA damage in 6-month-old rats

Histochemistry and Cell Biology · 2026 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6901

Prenatal 3.5 GHz RFR exposure was associated with significant renal histopathological alterations in male offspring, particularly after exposure throughout gestation. Both exposure groups had increased Beclin-1 and LC3 expression and significantly greater DNA…

Study snapshot

PublicationHistochemistry and Cell Biology · 2026
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Early-life environmental stressors may influence long-term organ development and cellular homeostasis. This study investigated whether prenatal exposure to 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is associated with renal structural alterations, autophagy-related changes, and DNA damage in adult rat offspring. A total of 24 pregnant Wistar Hannover rats were randomly assigned to sham control, exposure during the last 2 weeks of gestation (D2T: exposure during the last 2 weeks of gestation), or exposure throughout gestation (D3T: exposure throughout gestation) groups (n = 8 dams per group). Male offspring were selected and euthanized at 6 months of age. Kidney tissues were examined histopathologically for structural alterations. Autophagy-related markers (Beclin-1 and LC3) were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by appropriate post hoc tests. Peak spatial specific absorption rate (psSAR) values in the uterine region were 0.06622 mW/g (1 g averaging) and 0.03825 mW/g (10 g averaging). Prenatal RFR exposure was associated with significant renal histopathological alterations in offspring, most pronounced in the D3T group, including glomerular atrophy, tubular dilation, epithelial vacuolization, and cast formation (p < 0.01–0.001 versus controls). Beclin-1 and LC3 expression levels were significantly increased in both exposure groups (p < 0.001), suggesting altered autophagy-related marker expression. The comet assay demonstrated significantly increased DNA fragmentation in D2T and D3T groups compared with controls (p < 0.001), indicating increased genomic stress. Overall, prenatal exposure to 3.5 GHz RFR is associated with renal structural alterations, increased DNA damage, and changes in autophagy-related markers in adult rat offspring.

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
PopulationPregnant Wistar Hannover rats and their male offspring assessed at 6 months of age
Sample size24
ExposureRF · 3500 MHz · 0.06622 W/kg · Prenatal exposure during either the last 2 weeks of gestation or throughout gestation
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 98% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Prenatal 3.5 GHz RFR exposure was associated with significant renal histopathological alterations in male offspring, particularly after exposure throughout gestation. Both exposure groups had increased Beclin-1 and LC3 expression and significantly greater DNA fragmentation than controls.

Outcomes measured

  • Renal histopathological alterations
  • Glomerular atrophy
  • Tubular dilation
  • Epithelial vacuolization
  • Cast formation
  • Beclin-1 expression
  • LC3 expression
  • DNA fragmentation measured by comet assay

Limitations

  • Animal study
  • Only male offspring were assessed
  • The number of offspring analyzed was not reported in the abstract
  • Outcomes were assessed at a single age
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 3500,
    "sar_wkg": 0.06622,
    "duration": "Prenatal exposure during either the last 2 weeks of gestation or throughout gestation"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant Wistar Hannover rats and their male offspring assessed at 6 months of age",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Renal histopathological alterations",
    "Glomerular atrophy",
    "Tubular dilation",
    "Epithelial vacuolization",
    "Cast formation",
    "Beclin-1 expression",
    "LC3 expression",
    "DNA fragmentation measured by comet assay"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Prenatal 3.5 GHz RFR exposure was associated with significant renal histopathological alterations in male offspring, particularly after exposure throughout gestation. Both exposure groups had increased Beclin-1 and LC3 expression and significantly greater DNA fragmentation than controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Animal study",
    "Only male offspring were assessed",
    "The number of offspring analyzed was not reported in the abstract",
    "Outcomes were assessed at a single age"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.98,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "3.5 GHz",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "prenatal exposure",
    "Wistar Hannover rats",
    "kidney",
    "renal histopathology",
    "DNA damage",
    "comet assay",
    "autophagy",
    "Beclin-1",
    "LC3"
  ],
  "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: 10.1007/s00418-026-02504-7
PubMed: Not supplied

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