Effect of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Mouse Brain Morphological and Histopathological Profiling

Abstract

Effect of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Mouse Brain Morphological and Histopathological Profiling Judita Zymantiene, Vida Juozaitiene, Rasa Zelvyte, Vaidas Oberauskas, Ugne Spancerniene, Antanas Sederevicius, Albina Aniuliene. Effect of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Mouse Brain Morphological and Histopathological Profiling. J Vet Res. 2020 May 8;64(2):319-324. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2020-0030. Abstract Introduction: Mobile phones (MP) and other electronic and communication devices that are used daily expose users to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and contribute to an increasing incidence of neurological disorders. Brain tissue is the closest organ to the MP as it operates, thus the influence of MP radiation on brain tissue is of particular concern, although research is still inconclusive. The present study investigated the possible effect of an EMF (1,350-1,375 megahertz (MHz)) from an MP on morphological and histopathological profiles in the mouse brain. Material and methods: Healthy BALB/c mice were assigned to three equal groups (a control and two experimental groups, n = 10 each). Experimental mice were exposed to EMFs continuously for 72 h, those of experimental group I to a 1,350 MHz field at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg, and group II to a 1,375 MHz field EMF at an SAR of 4.0 W/kg. Brain segmentation and histopathological analysis were applied to detect changes in the morphometric parameters of the brain lobes and identify pathological lesions, respectively. Results: Histopathology results revealed shrinkage of pyramidal neurons, presence of mild perivascular and perineural oedema, and some vacuolation of neurons and glial cells derived from mouse great hemispheres. The lesions also included reduction of Purkinje cells, vacuolisation of neurons and glial cells, and interstitial oedema in the cerebellum. Conclusion: MP distance of 3 cm from the cage may induce appreciable morphological changes in mouse brain structures; therefore, more comprehensive research is essential for assessment of safe distance. These pronounced effects may interfere with the results of laboratory tests on murine experimental models in veterinary or biomedical research. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Mice exposed continuously for 72 h to 1,350 MHz or 1,375 MHz EMF at SAR 4.0 W/kg showed histopathological changes including shrinkage of pyramidal neurons, mild perivascular and perineural oedema, vacuolation of neurons and glial cells in the great hemispheres, and reduction of Purkinje cells with vacuolisation and interstitial oedema in the cerebellum.

Outcomes measured

• Brain morphometric parameters (brain lobe morphometry)
• Histopathological lesions in brain (great hemispheres, cerebellum)

Limitations

• Only animal model (mice)
• Small group sizes (n=10 per group)
• Exposure duration limited to 72 h
• Exposure conditions described as mobile phone at 3 cm from cage; generalizability to other distances/exposures not established in abstract

Suggested hubs

• rf-animal-studies (0.9)
  Animal experiment assessing RF (mobile phone-range) exposure effects on mouse brain histopathology.

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