A new paper “Oxidative damage in the liver and brain of the rats exposed to frequency-dependent radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure: Biochemical and histopathological evidence” by (2021) published in Free Radical Research finds that the brain is more susceptible than the liver to RF (wireless radio frequency) exposure. Researchers tested rats and found oxidative damage to the liver as well as increasing the incidence of brain damage in a frequency-dependent manner. Animals were exposed to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz with specific absorption rates below localized SAR exposures for cell phones.
Highlights
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EMR exposure showed frequency-dependent toxicity.
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Alterations in blood profile and modifications in the serological markers.
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Increasing lipid peroxidation indicating membrane damage.
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Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity affecting cholinergic neurotransmission.
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EMR exposure resulted in the loss of cellular energy and production of excess amounts of ROS thereby altering several antioxidant enzymes.
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Histopathological evidence of severe degenerative changes in the liver and brain.
Abstract
The study aimed to discover a link between the liver and brain’s functional status due to frequency dependent-radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). 40 Wistar rats were randomly classified as control (sham-exposed) and EMR exposed groups. Animals were exposed to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz with the specific absorption rate (SAR) 0.434 (W/Kg), 0.433 (W/Kg), and 0.453 (W/Kg) respectively. Animal exposure was limited at 1 hour/day, 5 days/week for 1 month with a restricted power density (900 MHz- 11.638µW/m2, 1800- 11.438 µW/m2 and 2100 MHz frequency- 8.237 µW/m2). Exposure at various frequencies showed a frequency-dependent change in the body weight and hematologic parameters (RBCs, WBCs, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) as compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.01)(P ≤ 0.001). A significant elevation in serum transaminases and bilirubin, urea, uric acid, and creatinine was noted, whereas albumin significantly decreased after EMR exposure (P ≤ 0.01)(P ≤ 0.001). The blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, triglycerides, and cholesterol were elevated while adenosine triphosphatases, acetylcholinesterase, and tissue antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione Peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001). Histopathological observations of the liver showed centrilobular mononuclear cell infiltration and swelling in sinusoidal spaces, while in the brain degenerated pyramidal and Purkinje neurons were seen. Furthermore, Substantial evidence was found that the brain is more susceptible to oxidative mutilation compare to the liver of exposed animals. In conclusion, RF-EMR exposure showed oxidative damage to the liver, increasing the incidence of brain damage in a frequency-dependent manner.
Figure 2 Morphologic changes of the liver in control and experimental groups are presented in A-D. (A): Photomicrograph of the normal liver showing the normal morphological architecture of the control group with Central Vein (CV) and surrounding Hepatocytes (H), Sinusoidal Space (SS). (B): 900 MHz exposed liver showing mild degenerative changes of hepatocyte in the periportal region (arrow). (C):1800 MHz exposed liver showing moderate hepatocyte degeneration around the central vein (arrow mark), a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the periportal region; (D):2100 MHz exposed treated liver showinghepatic centrilobular mononuclear cell infiltration. A degenerative change of hepatocyte around the central vein was found followed by swelling of Sinusoidal Spaces (SS), irregular cord arrangement,and the onset of hepatic cell necrosis with inflammatory infiltration (IF) (X 100).
Figure 3 (A) Cerebral cortex of the control group showing normal cytological characteristics of the neurons. It also showed glial cells in the resting stage, normal healthy capillaries. (B): EMR exposed group showed an irregular arrangement of neurons in the neurocortex with degenerated nuclei in pyramidal neurons (Py). (C): EMR exposed group at 1800 MHz frequency showed pyknotic nuclei. (D): EMR exposed group at 2100 MHz frequency depicted severe vacuolization (V) and pyknosis in the neuron cells (X 100).
