Effects of radiofrequency field from 5G communication on fecal microbiome and metabolome profiles in mice

PAPER manual Scientific Reports 2024 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53842-2 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Tags: 5G, radiofrequency, gut microbiome, metabolome, EMF health risk, mice, exposure DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53842-2 URL: nature.com Overview With the rapid development of 5G networks, there is growing concern about the potential impact of radiofrequency fields (RF) generated by 5G communication devices on human health. This study investigates the effects of long-term exposure to a 4.9 GHz RF field, which is one of the working frequencies of 5G communication, on the fecal microbiome and metabolome profiles in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Methodology - Adult male C57BL/6 mice were divided into a Sham group and a radiofrequency (RF) group. - The RF group underwent whole-body exposure to a 4.9 GHz RF field for three weeks (1 hour per day) at an average power density (PD) of 50 W/m2. - After RF exposure, fecal samples were collected for analysis: - Gut microorganisms were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. - Metabolites were analyzed using the LC-MS method. Findings - Intestinal microbiota composition was altered in the RF group, with reduced microbial diversity and changes in microbial community distribution. - Metabolomics profiling identified 258 significantly differentially abundant metabolites in the RF group, 57 of which were classified to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. - Functional correlation analysis revealed significant associations between changes in gut microbiota genera and changes in fecal metabolites. Conclusion The study concludes that exposure to 4.9 GHz radiofrequency fields, such as those used in 5G communications, is associated with alterations in gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. This highlights an important link between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and potential health risks, reaffirming the need for further research into EMF safety.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Adult male C57BL/6 mice

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF 5G communication (4.9 GHz RF field) · 4900 MHz · 3 weeks; 1 hour/day; whole-body exposure; average power density 50 W/m2

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham, the RF-exposed mice showed altered intestinal microbiota composition, including reduced microbial diversity and changes in community distribution. Metabolomics identified 258 significantly differentially abundant metabolites (57 mapped to KEGG pathways), and correlation analysis found significant associations between altered genera and altered fecal metabolites.

Outcomes measured

Fecal microbiome composition (16S rRNA sequencing)
Microbial diversity
Fecal metabolome profile (LC-MS)
Differentially abundant metabolites
KEGG pathway classification
Correlations between microbiota genera and fecal metabolites

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Only adult male mice studied
Exposure described by power density; SAR not reported
Exposure duration limited to three weeks
Health outcomes beyond microbiome/metabolome changes not reported in provided abstract

Suggested hubs

5g-policy (0.62)
Study evaluates biological effects of a 4.9 GHz field described as a 5G working frequency.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "5G communication (4.9 GHz RF field)",
        "frequency_mhz": 4900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "3 weeks; 1 hour/day; whole-body exposure; average power density 50 W/m2"
    },
    "population": "Adult male C57BL/6 mice",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Fecal microbiome composition (16S rRNA sequencing)",
        "Microbial diversity",
        "Fecal metabolome profile (LC-MS)",
        "Differentially abundant metabolites",
        "KEGG pathway classification",
        "Correlations between microbiota genera and fecal metabolites"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham, the RF-exposed mice showed altered intestinal microbiota composition, including reduced microbial diversity and changes in community distribution. Metabolomics identified 258 significantly differentially abundant metabolites (57 mapped to KEGG pathways), and correlation analysis found significant associations between altered genera and altered fecal metabolites.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Only adult male mice studied",
        "Exposure described by power density; SAR not reported",
        "Exposure duration limited to three weeks",
        "Health outcomes beyond microbiome/metabolome changes not reported in provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "radiofrequency",
        "4.9 GHz",
        "mice",
        "C57BL/6",
        "gut microbiome",
        "fecal microbiome",
        "metabolome",
        "LC-MS",
        "16S rRNA",
        "power density"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study evaluates biological effects of a 4.9 GHz field described as a 5G working frequency."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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