Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats.

PAPER pubmed Indian journal of biochemistry & biophysics 2013 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → PMID: 23720885 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Use of wireless communicating devices is increasing at an exponential rate in present time and is raising serious concerns about possible adverse effects of microwave (MW) radiation emitted from these devices on human health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 900 MHz MW radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in blood of Fischer rats. Animals were divided into two groups (6 animals/group): Group I (MW-exposed) and Group II (Sham-exposed). Animals were subjected to MW exposure (Frequency 900 MHz; specific absorption rate 8.4738 x 10(-5) W/kg) in Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell (GTEM) for 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week). Subsequently, cognitive function and oxidative stress parameters were examined for each group. Results showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increase in oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase in levels of MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl (a marker of protein oxidation) and unaltered GSH content in blood. Thus, the study demonstrated that low level MW radiation had significant effect on cognitive function and was also capable of leading to oxidative stress.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Fischer rats

Sample size

Exposure

RF wireless communicating devices (modeled exposure in GTEM cell) · 900 MHz · 8.4738E-5 W/kg · 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham-exposed rats, 900 MHz microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increased oxidative stress markers in blood (increased MDA and protein carbonyl), with unaltered GSH content.

Outcomes measured

cognitive function
oxidative stress in blood
MDA (lipid peroxidation)
protein carbonyl (protein oxidation)
GSH content

Limitations

Small sample size (6 animals/group)
Oxidative stress assessed in blood only (no other tissues mentioned)
Exposure scenario uses a GTEM cell; generalizability to real-world device exposures not addressed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless communicating devices (modeled exposure in GTEM cell)",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": 8.4738000000000000822009127432465902529656887054443359375e-5,
        "duration": "30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week)"
    },
    "population": "Fischer rats",
    "sample_size": 12,
    "outcomes": [
        "cognitive function",
        "oxidative stress in blood",
        "MDA (lipid peroxidation)",
        "protein carbonyl (protein oxidation)",
        "GSH content"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham-exposed rats, 900 MHz microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increased oxidative stress markers in blood (increased MDA and protein carbonyl), with unaltered GSH content.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (6 animals/group)",
        "Oxidative stress assessed in blood only (no other tissues mentioned)",
        "Exposure scenario uses a GTEM cell; generalizability to real-world device exposures not addressed in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "900 MHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "RF exposure",
        "GTEM cell",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "cognitive function",
        "oxidative stress",
        "MDA",
        "protein carbonyl",
        "GSH",
        "Fischer rats"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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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