Impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testicular inflammatory pathway biomarkers in young rats: The role of gallic acid.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate electromagnetic radiation (EMR) transmitted by wireless devices (2.45 GHz), which may cause physiopathological or ultrastructural changes, in the testes of rats. We addressed if the supplemental gallic acid (GA) may reduce these adverse effects. Six-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Forty eight rats were equally divided into four groups, which were named: Sham, EMR only (EMR, 3 h day for 30 days), EMR + GA (30 mg/kg/daily), and GA (30 mg/kg/daily) groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels increased (p = 0.001 for both) in EMR only group. TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels decreased in GA treated group significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.045, respectively). Total antioxidant status (TAS) activities decreased in EMR only group and increased in GA treatment group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). Testosterone and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels decreased in EMR only group, but this was not statistically significant. Testosterone and VEGF levels increased in EMR+GA group, compared with EMR only group (p = 0.002), and also increased in GA group compared with the control and EMR only group (p = 0.044 and p = 0.032, respectively). Prostaglandin E (PGE ) and calcitonin gene releated peptide (CGRP) staining increased in tubules of the testes in EMR only group (p < 0.001 for both) and decreased in tubules of the testes in EMR+GA group (p < 0.001 for all parameters). In EMR only group, most of the tubules contained less spermatozoa, and the spermatozoon counts decreased in tubules of the testes. All these findings and the regenerative reaction, characterized by mitotic activity, increased in seminiferous tubules cells of the testes in EMR+GA group (p < 0.001). Long term EMR exposure resulted in testicular physiopathology via oxidative damage and inflammation. GA may have ameliorative effects on the prepubertal rat testes physiopathology. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1771-1784, 2016.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with sham, the EMR-only group showed increased oxidative stress markers (MDA and TOS; TAS decreased) and increased PGE and CGRP staining in testicular tubules, with fewer spermatozoa and decreased spermatozoon counts. Gallic acid co-treatment (EMR+GA) was associated with lower oxidative stress/inflammatory staining than EMR-only and with increased testosterone/VEGF versus EMR-only; histologic findings were described as improved with increased mitotic activity.

Outcomes measured

• Testicular oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, TOS, OSI, TAS)
• Testosterone
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Inflammatory pathway biomarkers/staining (PGE, CGRP)
• Testicular histology/physiopathology (seminiferous tubules, spermatozoa counts, mitotic activity/regenerative reaction)

Limitations

• No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
• Testosterone and VEGF decreases in EMR-only group were not statistically significant
• Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.35)
  Exposure frequency (2.45 GHz) overlaps with Wi‑Fi band; study framed as wireless-device EMR.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wireless devices",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "3 h/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Six-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats (young/prepubertal)",
    "sample_size": 48,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, TOS, OSI, TAS)",
        "Testosterone",
        "Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)",
        "Inflammatory pathway biomarkers/staining (PGE, CGRP)",
        "Testicular histology/physiopathology (seminiferous tubules, spermatozoa counts, mitotic activity/regenerative reaction)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham, the EMR-only group showed increased oxidative stress markers (MDA and TOS; TAS decreased) and increased PGE and CGRP staining in testicular tubules, with fewer spermatozoa and decreased spermatozoon counts. Gallic acid co-treatment (EMR+GA) was associated with lower oxidative stress/inflammatory staining than EMR-only and with increased testosterone/VEGF versus EMR-only; histologic findings were described as improved with increased mitotic activity.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
        "Testosterone and VEGF decreases in EMR-only group were not statistically significant",
        "Animal model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "wireless devices",
        "testis",
        "oxidative stress",
        "inflammation",
        "malondialdehyde",
        "total oxidant status",
        "total antioxidant status",
        "testosterone",
        "VEGF",
        "PGE",
        "CGRP",
        "gallic acid",
        "Sprague Dawley rats"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.34999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Exposure frequency (2.45 GHz) overlaps with Wi‑Fi band; study framed as wireless-device EMR."
        }
    ]
}

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