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17 postsAmeliorative Role of Coenzyme Q10 in RF Radiation-Associated Testicular and Oxidative Impairments in a 3.5-GHz Exposure Model
A rat study in Bioelectromagnetics examined GSM-modulated 3.5 GHz RF-EMF exposure (2 h/day for 30 days) and reported adverse changes in male reproductive hormones, oxidative stress markers, and testicular histology. The authors also tested Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and found it partially ameliorated some RF-associated alterations. The paper notes that because the exposure used a GSM-modulated waveform, findings cannot be extrapolated to FR1 5G NR signals, and calls for further research under real-world conditions.
Negative Controls That Matter
RF Safe argues that “no effect” findings in some RF exposure studies should be interpreted as meaningful negative controls rather than as evidence that RF has no biological effects. The post presents RF Safe’s “S4–Mito–Spin” framework, claiming certain skin cell types (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) are predicted to be relatively resistant to non-thermal RF effects, so null results in these cells can be consistent with the model. It cites in-vitro studies at 3.5 GHz (5G-modulated) reporting no changes in ROS measures, stress responses, or UV-B DNA repair kinetics under specified SAR conditions, and frames these nulls as boundary conditions rather than a general safety conclusion.
Ameliorative Role of Coenzyme Q10 in RF Radiation-Associated Testicular and Oxidative Impairments in a 3.5-GHz Exposure Model
This animal experiment assessed GSM-modulated 3.5 GHz RF exposure in male Wistar rats and reported hormonal, oxidative, and histological changes consistent with testicular impairment. RF exposure was associated with lower testosterone, LH, and FSH, higher oxidative stress (increased MDA and TOS), and degenerative testicular histology. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation partially mitigated several reported changes. The authors caution against generalizing these results to FR1 5G NR signals and call for further research.
Neurotoxic effects of 3.5 GHz GSM-like RF exposure on cultured DRG neurons: a mechanistic insight into oxidative and apoptotic pathways
This in vitro study examined strictly non-thermal, GSM-like 3.5 GHz RF-EMF exposure in cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons for 1–24 hours. The authors report time-dependent reductions in cell viability alongside increased ROS and changes consistent with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis (e.g., Bax/caspase-3 up, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 down) and increased p75NTR. They conclude these findings provide mechanistic evidence of peripheral neuronal vulnerability to mid-band RF exposure and call for further in vivo research.
Massive assessment of exposure to 5G electromagnetic fields in France: a 5-year synthesis
This paper reports results from a large-scale, multi-phase measurement campaign in mainland France assessing changes in RF exposure associated with 5G deployment from 2020 to 2024. Using more than 24,000 on-ground measurements in direct view of 5G antennas, it finds small average increases in broadband exposure and increased contributions from 5G-related bands over time. The 3.5 GHz band contribution increased but remained a secondary contributor compared with legacy 800/900 MHz bands, and exposure during active downloading was higher than in idle mode.
Effects of Simultaneous In-Vitro Exposure to 5G-Modulated 3.5 GHz and GSM-Modulated 1.8 GHz Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Neuronal Network Electrical Activity and Cellular Stress in Skin Fibroblast Cells
This in-vitro study exposed primary cortical neurons and human immortalized skin fibroblasts to simultaneous 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz and GSM-modulated 1.8 GHz RF-EMF at SARs of 1 or 4 W/kg. It reports no significant changes in neuronal network firing/bursting activity and no alteration of mitochondrial ROS in fibroblasts. Stress-related signaling readouts showed only minor, threshold-level variations without a consistent pattern, and no HSF1 activation was observed. Overall, the authors conclude there is no strong evidence of biological effects under these exposure conditions.
Male Reproductive and Cellular Damage After Prenatal 3.5 GHz Radiation Exposure: One-Year Postnatal Effects
This animal study examined whether prenatal exposure to 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation (2 hours/day) affects male reproductive outcomes later in life. Male rat offspring assessed at 12 months showed multiple adverse testicular and cellular findings in exposed groups versus sham controls, including impaired spermatogenesis markers, increased abnormal sperm morphology, increased DNA damage, and increased apoptosis, with full-gestation exposure generally most pronounced. The authors interpret the results as evidence of persistent reproductive toxicity from prenatal exposure and call for further mechanistic work and precautionary actions.
Prolonged 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF Exposure Alters Testicular Immune Balance, Apoptotic Gene Expression, and Sperm Function in Rats
This rat study examined 60-day RF-EMF exposure at 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz for 1 or 7 hours per day and assessed testicular cytokines, apoptosis-related gene expression, and sperm quality. The authors report changes consistent with altered immune signaling and pro-apoptotic pathways, alongside reduced sperm parameters (frequency- and duration-dependent). The conclusion frames these findings as an EMF safety concern and suggests longer daily exposure worsened negative effects.
3.5GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on metabolic disorders in Drosophila melanogaster
This animal study used metabolomics to assess metabolic changes in male Drosophila melanogaster exposed to 3.5 GHz RF-EMF at 0.1, 1, and 10 W/m². It reports disruptions in four metabolic pathways and 34 differential metabolites, with significant decreases in several metabolites including GABA, glucose-6-phosphate, and AMP. The authors interpret the findings as suggesting RF-EMF-related metabolic disturbance, while noting no clear dose-dependent pattern.
Impact of in vitro exposure to 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz fields on oxidative stress and DNA repair in skin cells
This in vitro study tested whether 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz RF-EMF exposure affects oxidative stress and DNA repair in human skin cells. Under acute exposure conditions (up to 24–48h) at SARs up to 4 W/kg, the authors report no significant changes in ROS markers, no adaptive response to oxidative challenge, and no impairment of UV-B–related CPD repair via nucleotide excision repair. The authors note that acute in vitro results may not directly generalize to chronic or real-life exposures.
Auto-Induced Downlink Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure at 3.5 GHz With Focusing Near the Head
This exposure-assessment study uses FDTD simulations to evaluate auto-induced downlink RF-EMF exposure at 3.5 GHz when downlink energy is focused toward user equipment near the head. Exposure varied substantially by device position (ear, eyes, nose) and by the precoding technique used. The authors report that the choice of normalization strategy can produce cases where ICNIRP basic restrictions are exceeded even when reference levels appear compliant, motivating a precautionary framing for compliance assessment.
Histomorphometric study of thyroid tissue in juvenile rats exposed to 5G electromagnetic fields
This animal study examined thyroid histomorphometry in juvenile male Wistar rats after 2 weeks of 5G EMF exposure (3.5 GHz, 1.5 V/m). Exposed rats showed larger follicle and colloid areas and a significantly lower Thyroid Activation Index, which the authors interpret as thyroid hypoactivity. The authors suggest this may represent a potential health risk and call for further work including hormone assays and mechanistic studies.
Protective effects of quercetin against 3.5 GHz RF radiation-induced thyroid dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats
This rat study examined repeated 3.5 GHz RF exposure (2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 30 days) and thyroid-related outcomes, with and without quercetin. The abstract reports altered thyroid hormones (lower T3/T4, higher TSH) and increased oxidative stress in thyroid tissue after RF exposure. Quercetin appeared partially protective, though effects were not uniformly statistically significant, and SAR simulations indicated relatively higher absorption in the thyroid region.
Mitigation of 3.5 GHz Electromagnetic Field-Induced BV2 Microglial Cytotoxicity by Polydeoxyribonucleotide
This in vitro study exposed BV2 mouse microglial cells to 3.5 GHz EMF for 2 hours and reports reduced cell growth and increased apoptosis alongside oxidative stress and signaling changes. The authors report that ROS generation and activation of JNK-1/2 and p38 MAPK were key events in the observed cytotoxicity. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) reportedly reduced several EMF-associated cytotoxicity markers, suggesting a potential mitigating effect under the tested conditions.
Assessing EMF Exposure in Greek Urban and Suburban Areas During 5G Deployment: A Focus on 5G EMF Levels and Distance Correlation
This exposure assessment reports 400 ground-level electric field measurements in Greek urban and suburban areas during 5G deployment. It finds that 4G contributes most to overall measured EMF exposure, while 5G currently contributes less. The study reports an inverse relationship between 3.5 GHz EMF levels and distance from 5G base stations, with urban areas showing higher levels than suburban areas.
Repeated Head Exposures to a 5G-3.5 GHz Signal Do Not Alter Behavior but Modify Intracortical Gene Expression in Adult Male Mice
This animal study examined repeated asymmetrical head exposure to a 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz signal in adult male mice for six weeks. It reports no significant changes in locomotion, anxiety, or object-based memory performance under the tested conditions. However, it found statistically significant but limited cortical gene expression changes (<1% of expressed genes), including enrichment for glutamatergic synapse-related genes and lateralized differences involving mitochondrial genome-encoded genes. The authors caution that potential health risks from these intracortical transcriptomic modifications should not be downplayed and note uncertainties about longer exposures and other populations.
5G Radiofrequency Exposure Reduces PRDM16 and C/EBP � mRNA Expression, Two Key Biomarkers for Brown Adipogenesis
This animal study exposed juvenile and young adult Wistar rats to 5G (3.5 GHz) or 2G (900 MHz) radiofrequency fields (1.5 V/m) for 1–2 weeks and measured brown adipose tissue-related gene expression by RT-qPCR. The abstract reports significant downregulation of PRDM16 and C/EBP mRNA after 5G exposure, while UCP1-dependent thermogenesis markers were not significantly changed at the transcriptional level. The authors interpret these findings as a potential partial disruption of brown adipocyte differentiation and raise EMF safety concerns, while calling for further confirmatory research.