Effects of exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like RF EMF on auditory system of rats

Abstract

Effects of exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like RF EMF on auditory system of rats Çeliker M, Özgür A, Tümkaya L, Terzi S, Yılmaz M, Kalkan Y, Erdoğan E. Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Nov 5. pii: S1808- 8694(16)30222-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.10.004. Abstract INTRODUCTION: The use of mobile phones has become widespread in recent years. Although beneficial from the communication viewpoint, the electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by mobile phones may cause unwanted biological changes in the human body. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2100MHz Global System for Mobile communication (GSM-like) electromagnetic field (EMF), generated by an EMF generator, on the auditory system of rats by using electrophysiological, histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. METHODS: Fourteen adult Wistar albino rats were included in the study. The rats were divided randomly into two groups of seven rats each. The study group was exposed continuously for 30days to a 2100MHz EMF with a signal level (power) of 5.4dBm (3.47mW) to simulate the talk mode on a mobile phone. The control group was not exposed to the aforementioned EMF. After 30days, the Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) of both groups were recorded and the rats were sacrificed. The cochlear nuclei were evaluated by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The ABR records of the two groups did not differ significantly. The histopathologic analysis showed increased degeneration signs in the study group (p=0.007). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased apoptotic index in the study group compared to that in the control group (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The results support that long-term exposure to a GSM-like 2100MHz EMF causes an increase in neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the auditory system. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

ABR recordings did not differ significantly between exposed and control groups. Histopathology showed increased degeneration signs in the exposed group (p=0.007), and immunohistochemistry showed an increased apoptotic index in the exposed group (p=0.002).

Outcomes measured

• Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR)
• Histopathologic degeneration signs in cochlear nuclei
• Immunohistochemical apoptotic index in cochlear nuclei

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=14; 7 per group)
• Exposure metric reported as signal level/power; SAR not reported
• Animal study; applicability to humans not established in abstract

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones-rf (0.9)
  Study evaluates GSM-like 2100 MHz exposure simulating mobile phone talk mode.

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