Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on rat hippocampus proteome

Abstract

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on rat hippocampus proteome Kumari Vandana Singh, Rakesh Arya, Jay Prakash Nirala, Debasis Sahu, Ranjan Kumar Nanda, Paulraj Rajamani. Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on rat hippocampus proteome. Environ Toxicol. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.1002/tox.23447. Abstract Worldwide, the number of mobile phone users has increased from 5.57 billion in 2011 to 6.8 billion in 2019. However, short- and long-term impact of the electromagnetic radiation emitting from mobile phones on tissue homeostasis with particular to brain proteome composition needs further investigation. In this study, we attempted a global proteome profiling study of rat hippocampus exposed to mobile phone radiation for 20 weeks (for 3 h/day for 5 days/week) to identify deregulated proteins and western blot analysis for validation. As a result, we identified 358 hippocampus proteins, of which 16 showed deregulation (log2 (exposed/sham) ≥ ±1.0, p-value <.05). Majority of these deregulated proteins grouped into three clusters sharing similar molecular pathways. A set of four proteins (Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase: Aldh5a1, Na+ K+ transporting ATPase: Atp1b2, plasma membrane calcium transporting ATPase: PMCA and protein S100B) presenting each functional pathway were selected for validation. Western blot analysis of these proteins, in an independent sample set, corroborated the mass spectrometry findings. Aldh5a1 involve in cellular energy metabolism, both Atp1b2 and PMCA responsible for membrane transport and protein S100B have a neuroprotective role. In conclusion, we present a deregulated hippocampus proteome upon mobile phone radiation exposure, which might influence the healthy functioning of the brain. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Post 1 week of introducing animals to experimental animal house, exposure experiments were undertaken. Each animal in exposure group (n = 5) was subjected to radiofrequency signals from a set of 3G mobile phone (n = 5) (Samsung Galaxy J2, Korea) kept on the Plexiglass cage (18.5 cm l 8.5 cm w 8.5 cm h) between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm for 20 weeks (3 h/day, 5 days/week).... The emitted 3G mobile phone radiofrequency signal used for exposure study was 1964.7 MHz. During the experimental period, the average receiving power density of mobile phones measured at different time points (W0, W6, W13, and W20) for exposure group (video calling mode), sham group (switched off mode) and control group (Open field exposure) were 0.06, 6.55 x 10 - 5, and 3.48 x 10 - 7 mW/cm2, respectively (Figure 2A). The average whole-body SAR for animals of MP-RF-EMR exposed, sham and control groups calculated at four-time points (W0, W6, W13, and W20) were 0.015, 1.34 x 10 -5, and 9.15 x 10 - 9 W/kg, respectively (Figure 2B).... Conclusion In this study, we report an altered hippocampus proteome in rats exposed to MP-RF-EMR for 20 weeks. We identified a set of important proteins involved in either energy metabolism (Aldh5a1, Idh3b, and ADP/ATP translocase 1), transmembrane ion pumps (Atp1b2, PMCA) or are markers of neurodegeneration or protection (S100B) in MP-RF-EMR exposed groups. At the systemic level, we did not observe stress and did not affect the brain or total body weight gain. MP-RF-EMR exposure may interfere with the nerve signaling causing hyperexcitability in neurons. For meeting energy demand and to restore neuronal resting potential, change in the hippocampal proteome might have provided an adaptive strategy. This study gives a meaningful insight into the possible effect of MP-RF-EMR on rat hippocampus proteome. Clinical significance of these findings with particular emphasis on humans needs focused studies. Elucidating the short- and long-term impact of mobile phone radiation in different biological systems is critical to generate advisory for its healthy usage.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats exposed to 3G mobile phone RF-EMR for 20 weeks showed altered hippocampal proteome, with 16 of 358 identified proteins reported as deregulated (log2 exposed/sham ≥ ±1.0, p<.05). Western blot validation in an independent sample set corroborated mass spectrometry findings for four selected proteins (Aldh5a1, Atp1b2, PMCA, S100B). The authors report no observed systemic stress and no effect on brain or total body weight gain.

Outcomes measured

• Hippocampus proteome profiling (mass spectrometry)
• Differential protein expression (deregulated proteins)
• Western blot validation of selected proteins
• Body weight gain
• Brain weight
• Stress (systemic observation)

Limitations

• Animal study; human relevance not established in the abstract/excerpts
• Small group size reported for exposure group (n=5)
• Proteomic changes reported; clinical/functional outcomes are not established in the provided text
• Exposure conditions are specific (3G phone, video calling mode, cage setup) and may not generalize to other scenarios

Suggested hubs

• cell-phones (0.95)
  Study examines biological effects of mobile phone RF exposure.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
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        "sar_wkg": 0.01499999999999999944488848768742172978818416595458984375,
        "duration": "20 weeks; 3 h/day; 5 days/week"
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    "population": "Rats (hippocampus proteome)",
    "sample_size": 5,
    "outcomes": [
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        "Differential protein expression (deregulated proteins)",
        "Western blot validation of selected proteins",
        "Body weight gain",
        "Brain weight",
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    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 3G mobile phone RF-EMR for 20 weeks showed altered hippocampal proteome, with 16 of 358 identified proteins reported as deregulated (log2 exposed/sham ≥ ±1.0, p<.05). Western blot validation in an independent sample set corroborated mass spectrometry findings for four selected proteins (Aldh5a1, Atp1b2, PMCA, S100B). The authors report no observed systemic stress and no effect on brain or total body weight gain.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study; human relevance not established in the abstract/excerpts",
        "Small group size reported for exposure group (n=5)",
        "Proteomic changes reported; clinical/functional outcomes are not established in the provided text",
        "Exposure conditions are specific (3G phone, video calling mode, cage setup) and may not generalize to other scenarios"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "stance": "concern",
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    "summary": "This animal study profiled the rat hippocampus proteome after 20 weeks of exposure to 3G mobile phone RF-EMR (1964.7 MHz; average whole-body SAR reported as 0.015 W/kg). The authors report 16 of 358 detected hippocampal proteins as deregulated, with western blot validation supporting changes in four selected proteins. They also report no observed systemic stress and no changes in brain or total body weight gain, while concluding the proteome changes might influence brain functioning.",
    "key_points": [
        "The study exposed rats to 3G mobile phone RF signals (1964.7 MHz) for 20 weeks (3 h/day, 5 days/week).",
        "Global proteomics identified 358 hippocampal proteins, with 16 reported as deregulated versus sham.",
        "Deregulated proteins were described as clustering into pathways related to energy metabolism, membrane transport, and neuroprotection/neurodegeneration markers.",
        "Western blot validation in an independent sample set corroborated findings for Aldh5a1, Atp1b2, PMCA, and S100B.",
        "The authors report no observed systemic stress and no effect on brain or total body weight gain.",
        "The paper concludes that mobile phone RF-EMR exposure produced an altered hippocampal proteome that might influence brain function, while noting human significance needs further study."
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    "categories": [
        "Animal Studies",
        "Mobile Phones",
        "Radiofrequency (RF)",
        "Brain & Nervous System",
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    "tags": [
        "Rat Hippocampus",
        "Proteomics",
        "Mass Spectrometry",
        "Western Blot",
        "3G Mobile Phone",
        "Radiofrequency Exposure",
        "Hippocampus",
        "Protein Expression",
        "Energy Metabolism Proteins",
        "Ion Transport Pumps",
        "S100B",
        "Specific Absorption Rate"
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    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "electromagnetic radiation",
        "radiofrequency",
        "rat",
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    "social": {
        "tweet": "Rat study: 20 weeks of 3G mobile phone RF exposure (1964.7 MHz) was associated with altered hippocampal proteome (16/358 proteins deregulated), with western blot validation of selected proteins; no changes in brain/body weight were reported.",
        "facebook": "In a rat experiment, 20 weeks of 3G mobile phone RF exposure (1964.7 MHz) was linked to changes in the hippocampus proteome (16 of 358 proteins deregulated). Western blot validation supported changes in selected proteins, while brain and body weight were reportedly unaffected.",
        "linkedin": "Animal study (Environ Toxicol, 2022): 20-week 3G mobile phone RF exposure (1964.7 MHz; reported whole-body SAR 0.015 W/kg) was associated with deregulation of 16/358 rat hippocampal proteins, with western blot validation of selected targets; systemic stress and weight changes were not observed."
    }
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