Effect of 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation on the Inner Ear: A Histopathological Study on 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation and Cochlea

Abstract

Effect of 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation on the Inner Ear: A Histopathological Study on 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation and Cochlea Tahir E, Akar Karadayı A, Gülşen Gürgen S, Korunur Engiz B, Turgut A. Effect of 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation on the Inner Ear: A Histopathological Study on 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation and Cochlea. J Int Adv Otol. 2024 Jan;20(1):35-43. doi: 10.5152/iao.2024.231142. Abstract Background: The present study aims to determine the possible low dose-dependent adverse effects of 2.45 GHz microwave exposure and Wi-Fi frequency on the cochlea. Methods: Twelve pregnant female rats (n=12) and their male newborns were exposed to Wi-Fi frequencies with varying electric field values of 0.6, 1.9, 5, 10 V/m, and 15 V/m during the 21-day gestation period and 45 days after birth, except for the control group. Auditory brainstem response testing was performed before exposure and sacrification. After removal of the cochlea, histopathological examination was conducted by immunohistochemistry methods using caspase (cysteine-aspartic proteases, cysteine aspartates, or cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases)-3, -9, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests and multivariate analysis of variance were used. Results: Auditory brainstem response thresholds in postexposure tests increased statistically significantly at 5 V/m and above doses. When the number of apoptotic cells was compared in immunohistochemistry examination, significant differences were found at 10 V/m and 15 V/m doses (F(5,15)=23.203, P=.001; Pillai's trace=1.912, η2=0.637). As the magnitude of the electric field increased, all histopathological indicators of apoptosis increased. The most significant effect was noted on caspase- 9 staining (η2 c9=0.996), followed by caspase-3 (η2 c3=0.991), and TUNEL staining (η2 t=0.801). Caspase-3, caspase-9, and TUNEL-stained cell densities increased directly by increasing the electric field and power values. Conclusion: Apoptosis and immune activity in the cochlea depend on the electric field and power value. Even at low doses, the electromagnetic field in Wi-Fi frequency damages the inner ear and causes apoptosis. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In this rat study, postexposure auditory brainstem response thresholds increased significantly at 5 V/m and higher exposure levels. Apoptotic cell markers in the cochlea were significantly increased at 10 V/m and 15 V/m, and apoptosis-related staining increased with increasing electric field and power values.

Outcomes measured

• Auditory brainstem response thresholds
• Cochlear histopathology
• Apoptosis markers: caspase-3, caspase-9, and TUNEL staining

Limitations

• Animal study
• Sample size appears limited
• Exposure characterized by electric field values; SAR not reported

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "21-day gestation period and 45 days after birth"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant female rats and their male newborns",
    "sample_size": 12,
    "outcomes": [
        "Auditory brainstem response thresholds",
        "Cochlear histopathology",
        "Apoptosis markers: caspase-3, caspase-9, and TUNEL staining"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In this rat study, postexposure auditory brainstem response thresholds increased significantly at 5 V/m and higher exposure levels. Apoptotic cell markers in the cochlea were significantly increased at 10 V/m and 15 V/m, and apoptosis-related staining increased with increasing electric field and power values.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study",
        "Sample size appears limited",
        "Exposure characterized by electric field values; SAR not reported"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "cochlea",
        "inner ear",
        "rats",
        "auditory brainstem response",
        "apoptosis",
        "caspase-3",
        "caspase-9",
        "TUNEL",
        "histopathology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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