GFAP expression in the rat brain following sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field signal.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The rapid development and expansion of mobile communications contributes to the general debate on the effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on the nervous system. This study aims at measuring the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in 48 rat brains to evaluate reactive astrocytosis, three and 10 days after long-term head-only sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) signal, in male rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for 45 min/day at a brain-averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) = 1.5 W/kg or 15 min/day at a SAR = 6 W/kg for five days per week during an eight-week period. GFAP expression was measured by the immunocytochemistry method in the following rat brain areas: Prefrontal cortex, cerebellar cortex, dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, lateral globus pallidus of the striatum, and the caudate putamen. RESULTS: Compared to the sham-treated rats, those exposed to the sub-chronic GSM (Global System for mobile communications) signal at 1.5 or 6 W/kg showed an increase in GFAP levels in the different brain areas, three and ten days after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results show that sub-chronic exposures to a 900 MHz EMF signal for two months could adversely affect rat brain (sign of a potential gliosis).

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz EMF signal at SARs of 1.5 or 6 W/kg for 8 weeks increased GFAP levels in multiple rat brain areas, indicating reactive astrocytosis three and ten days after exposure.

Outcomes measured

• GFAP expression
• reactive astrocytosis

Limitations

• Animal study, results may not directly translate to humans
• Only male rats studied
• Exposure limited to head-only and specific SAR levels

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.3)
  Study of RF exposure effects relevant to occupational or environmental EMF exposure.
• 5g-policy (0.2)
  Exposure to 900 MHz RF signal relevant to mobile communications technology.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": 1.5,
        "duration": "45 min/day for 8 weeks or 15 min/day for 8 weeks at 6 W/kg"
    },
    "population": "male Sprague-Dawley rats",
    "sample_size": 48,
    "outcomes": [
        "GFAP expression",
        "reactive astrocytosis"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz EMF signal at SARs of 1.5 or 6 W/kg for 8 weeks increased GFAP levels in multiple rat brain areas, indicating reactive astrocytosis three and ten days after exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study, results may not directly translate to humans",
        "Only male rats studied",
        "Exposure limited to head-only and specific SAR levels"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "GFAP",
        "astrocytosis",
        "900 MHz",
        "EMF",
        "rat brain",
        "sub-chronic exposure",
        "mobile phone radiation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
            "reason": "Study of RF exposure effects relevant to occupational or environmental EMF exposure."
        },
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Exposure to 900 MHz RF signal relevant to mobile communications technology."
        }
    ]
}

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