5G Radiofrequency Exposure Reduces PRDM16 and C/EBP � mRNA Expression, Two Key Biomarkers for Brown Adipogenesis

PAPER manual International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 Animal study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062792 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Molecular Biology, Environmental Health Tags: 5G, radiofrequency exposure, brown adipose tissue, PRDM16, C/EBP, thermogenesis, EMF health risk DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062792 URL: mdpi.com Overview The widespread use of wireless technologies has prompted serious public health concerns regarding the biological effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposure. Notably, children absorb more radiation energy than adults, and brown adipose tissue (BAT)—which is more prevalent in infants—declines with age. Animal studies have previously linked RF exposure to cold sensation and different thermal regulation responses in rats. Study Design - Juvenile and young adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 5G (3.5 GHz), 2G (900 MHz), and control (SHAM). - Exposure: 1 or 2 weeks, 1.5 V/m RF intensity, two 1-hour sessions daily. - After exposure, RT-qPCR evaluated key genetic markers of BAT thermogenesis and adipogenesis. Findings - Significant reduction in adipogenic biomarkers after 5G exposure: - PRDM16 mRNA: decreased by 49% (p = 0.016) - C/EBP mRNA: decreased by 32% (p = 0.0002) - No significant effect found on UCP1-dependent thermogenesis at the transcriptional level. - Most thermogenic markers showed no relation to age or exposure duration, except for PPAR a and ADR�3. Conclusion Short-term exposure to 5G radiofrequency may partially disrupt brown adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic function via downregulation of PRDM16 and C/EBP, potentially leading to increased cold sensitivity. These alterations in adipogenic markers could influence BAT development and the body's response to cold stress after RF exposure. Such effects may help explain physiological changes observed after electromagnetic field exposure, emphasizing EMF safety concerns. The study highlights the need for further research to confirm these observations—such as monitoring rat tail temperature—and to understand how low-intensity 2G and 5G RF impacts vasomotor responses and thermoregulation. It is essential to recognize that low-level RF exposure could pose biological risks, and this research raises public awareness about EMF health impacts, particularly as wireless technology adoption grows.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Juvenile and young adult Wistar rats

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF other · 3500 MHz · 1 or 2 weeks; two 1-hour sessions daily

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham, 5G (3.5 GHz) exposure was associated with reduced adipogenic biomarker mRNA expression: PRDM16 decreased by 49% (p=0.016) and C/EBP decreased by 32% (p=0.0002). No significant effect was found on UCP1-dependent thermogenesis at the transcriptional level; most thermogenic markers showed no relation to age or exposure duration except PPARα and ADRβ3.

Outcomes measured

PRDM16 mRNA expression
C/EBP mRNA expression
UCP1-dependent thermogenesis (transcriptional level)
BAT thermogenesis/adipogenesis genetic markers (RT-qPCR)
PPARα
ADRβ3

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided text
SAR not reported; exposure described as field intensity (1.5 V/m)
Short-term exposure only (1–2 weeks)
Outcomes limited to transcriptional markers (RT-qPCR); limited functional/physiological measures reported

Suggested hubs

5g-policy (0.72)
Study explicitly evaluates 5G (3.5 GHz) RF exposure effects.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 3500,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 or 2 weeks; two 1-hour sessions daily"
    },
    "population": "Juvenile and young adult Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "PRDM16 mRNA expression",
        "C/EBP mRNA expression",
        "UCP1-dependent thermogenesis (transcriptional level)",
        "BAT thermogenesis/adipogenesis genetic markers (RT-qPCR)",
        "PPARα",
        "ADRβ3"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham, 5G (3.5 GHz) exposure was associated with reduced adipogenic biomarker mRNA expression: PRDM16 decreased by 49% (p=0.016) and C/EBP decreased by 32% (p=0.0002). No significant effect was found on UCP1-dependent thermogenesis at the transcriptional level; most thermogenic markers showed no relation to age or exposure duration except PPARα and ADRβ3.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided text",
        "SAR not reported; exposure described as field intensity (1.5 V/m)",
        "Short-term exposure only (1–2 weeks)",
        "Outcomes limited to transcriptional markers (RT-qPCR); limited functional/physiological measures reported"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "radiofrequency exposure",
        "3.5 GHz",
        "2G",
        "900 MHz",
        "Wistar rats",
        "brown adipose tissue",
        "BAT",
        "PRDM16",
        "C/EBP",
        "thermogenesis",
        "adipogenesis",
        "RT-qPCR"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.7199999999999999733546474089962430298328399658203125,
            "reason": "Study explicitly evaluates 5G (3.5 GHz) RF exposure effects."
        }
    ]
}

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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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