Protective effects of quercetin against 3.5 GHz RF radiation-induced thyroid dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

Category: Endocrinology, Toxicology, Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Safety Tags: RF radiation, 5G, thyroid dysfunction, oxidative stress, quercetin, rats, SAR DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2025.2528732 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview The global expansion of 5G communication networks has heightened concerns about the biological effects of high-frequency radiofrequency (RF) radiation, particularly on endocrine organs such as the thyroid gland. This study investigated the effects of 3.5 GHz RF radiation on thyroid hormone levels and oxidative stress markers in male Wistar rats, and assessed the potential protective role of quercetin, a natural antioxidant. - Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham, RF, Quercetin, and RF + Quercetin. - RF exposure was administered at 3.5 GHz (2 W) for 2 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 30 days. - Quercetin (20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. - Measures: Serum T3, T4, TSH and thyroid tissue TAS, TOS, GSH, MDA via ELISA. Findings - RF exposure significantly decreased T3 and T4, increased TSH, and elevated MDA and TOS. - RF also reduced TAS and GSH levels, all indicating disrupted thyroid function and increased oxidative stress. - Quercetin treatment demonstrated some trends toward reversing these effects, though not all changes reached statistical significance. - SAR simulations confirmed higher energy absorption in the thyroid region (average SAR: 1.128 W/kg). Conclusion - Findings suggest that 3.5 GHz RF radiation, representative of 5G exposures, can impair thyroid function and disturb redox homeostasis in rats. - Quercetin may exert limited biochemical protection, but more research is needed to fully clarify its effects and mechanisms of action. - These results reinforce concerns regarding potential health impacts of long-term RF radiation exposure, especially due to widespread 5G networks, and suggest a link between electromagnetic field exposure and thyroid health risks. Further long-term molecular studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Plain Language Summary With the increasing rollout of 5G networks, concerns have emerged about the potential health impacts of high-frequency radio signals, especially on sensitive organs like the thyroid gland. This study explored repeated exposure to 3.5 GHz RF radiation and how it affects thyroid health in rats, and whether plant-based antioxidant quercetin can offer some protection. - RF exposure disrupted thyroid hormone levels and increased cellular stress indicators. - Quercetin was partially protective, though its effectiveness was not uniform across all parameters. - High absorption of RF energy was observed in the thyroid area, suggesting a direct risk to thyroid health. These findings draw attention to possible biological effects of long-term 5G exposure and the important connection between EMF and endocrine health risks. Natural antioxidants like quercetin may offer some relief, but further research is required to assess relevance for humans.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In rats, 3.5 GHz RF exposure decreased serum T3 and T4 and increased TSH, alongside increased oxidative stress markers (higher MDA and TOS; lower TAS and GSH). Quercetin showed trends toward reversing some RF-associated changes, but not all effects reached statistical significance. SAR simulations indicated higher energy absorption in the thyroid region (average SAR 1.128 W/kg).

Outcomes measured

• Serum T3
• Serum T4
• Serum TSH
• Thyroid tissue TAS
• Thyroid tissue TOS
• Thyroid tissue GSH
• Thyroid tissue MDA
• Thyroid energy absorption (SAR simulation)

Limitations

• Animal study (rats); human relevance not established in abstract
• Not all quercetin-related changes reached statistical significance
• Exposure described as 2 W at 3.5 GHz; generalizability to real-world 5G exposures not established in abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.62)
  Study explicitly frames 3.5 GHz RF as representative of 5G exposures.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 3500,
        "sar_wkg": 1.1279999999999998916422327965847216546535491943359375,
        "duration": "2 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Male Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 28,
    "outcomes": [
        "Serum T3",
        "Serum T4",
        "Serum TSH",
        "Thyroid tissue TAS",
        "Thyroid tissue TOS",
        "Thyroid tissue GSH",
        "Thyroid tissue MDA",
        "Thyroid energy absorption (SAR simulation)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats, 3.5 GHz RF exposure decreased serum T3 and T4 and increased TSH, alongside increased oxidative stress markers (higher MDA and TOS; lower TAS and GSH). Quercetin showed trends toward reversing some RF-associated changes, but not all effects reached statistical significance. SAR simulations indicated higher energy absorption in the thyroid region (average SAR 1.128 W/kg).",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study (rats); human relevance not established in abstract",
        "Not all quercetin-related changes reached statistical significance",
        "Exposure described as 2 W at 3.5 GHz; generalizability to real-world 5G exposures not established in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "3.5 GHz",
        "5G",
        "RF radiation",
        "thyroid dysfunction",
        "oxidative stress",
        "quercetin",
        "Wistar rats",
        "T3",
        "T4",
        "TSH",
        "TAS",
        "TOS",
        "GSH",
        "MDA",
        "SAR"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study explicitly frames 3.5 GHz RF as representative of 5G exposures."
        }
    ]
}

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