Oxidative Stress Response of Honey Bee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.) during Long-Term Exposure at a Frequency of 900 MHz under Field Conditions

Abstract

Oxidative Stress Response of Honey Bee Colonies during Long-Term Exposure at a Frequency of 900 MHz under Field Conditions Vilić M, Žura Žaja I, Tkalec M, Tucak P, Malarić K, Popara N, Žura N, Pašić S, Gajger IT. Oxidative Stress Response of Honey Bee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.) during Long-Term Exposure at a Frequency of 900 MHz under Field Conditions. Insects. 2024 May 20;15(5):372. doi: 10.3390/insects15050372. Abstract In this study, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in honey bee larvae, pupae and the midguts of adult bees were investigated during a one-year exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) at a frequency of 900 MHz under field conditions. The experiment was carried out on honey bee colonies at three locations with electric field levels of 30 mV m-1, 70 mV m-1 and 1000 mV m-1. Antioxidant enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as indicators of lipid peroxidation were measured spectrophotometrically. The GST activity within the same developmental stage showed no significant differences regardless of electric field level or sampling time. The highest GST activity was found in the pupae, followed by activity in the larvae and midguts. Both CAT activity and TBARS concentration were the highest in the midguts, regardless of field level and sampling time. The larvae showed a significantly higher TBARS concentration at the location with an electric field level of 1000 mV m-1 compared to the locations with lower levels. Our results show that RF-EMFs at a frequency of 900 MHz can cause oxidative stress in honey bees, with the larval stage being more sensitive than the pupal stage, but there was no linear relationship between electric field level and effect in any of the developmental stages. Open access paper: mdpi.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In honey bee colonies exposed under field conditions for one year at 900 MHz across locations with electric field levels of 30, 70, and 1000 mV m-1, GST activity did not differ significantly within the same developmental stage by field level or sampling time. Larvae had significantly higher TBARS at 1000 mV m-1 than at lower field levels, and the authors conclude that 900 MHz RF-EMFs can cause oxidative stress in honey bees, with larvae appearing more sensitive than pupae; however, no linear relationship between field level and effect was observed.

Outcomes measured

• Oxidative stress biomarkers
• Lipid peroxidation (TBARS)
• Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity
• Catalase (CAT) activity
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity

Limitations

• Animal study
• Field conditions across three locations may introduce location-related confounding
• No linear relationship between electric field level and effect was observed
• Sample size not stated in the abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "one-year exposure under field conditions"
    },
    "population": "Honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.); larvae, pupae, and adult bee midguts",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Oxidative stress biomarkers",
        "Lipid peroxidation (TBARS)",
        "Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity",
        "Catalase (CAT) activity",
        "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In honey bee colonies exposed under field conditions for one year at 900 MHz across locations with electric field levels of 30, 70, and 1000 mV m-1, GST activity did not differ significantly within the same developmental stage by field level or sampling time. Larvae had significantly higher TBARS at 1000 mV m-1 than at lower field levels, and the authors conclude that 900 MHz RF-EMFs can cause oxidative stress in honey bees, with larvae appearing more sensitive than pupae; however, no linear relationship between field level and effect was observed.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study",
        "Field conditions across three locations may introduce location-related confounding",
        "No linear relationship between electric field level and effect was observed",
        "Sample size not stated in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.91000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "honey bees",
        "Apis mellifera",
        "RF-EMF",
        "900 MHz",
        "oxidative stress",
        "lipid peroxidation",
        "TBARS",
        "GST",
        "CAT",
        "SOD",
        "field conditions"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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