Brain proteome response following whole body exposure of mice to mobile phone or wireless DECT base radiation.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the proteome of cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe in Balb/c mice following long-term whole body irradiation. Three equally divided groups of animals (6 animals/group) were used; the first group was exposed to a typical mobile phone, at a SAR level range of 0.17-0.37 W/kg for 3 h daily for 8 months, the second group was exposed to a wireless DECT base (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications/Telephone) at a SAR level range of 0.012-0.028 W/kg for 8 h/day also for 8 months and the third group comprised the sham-exposed animals. Comparative proteomics analysis revealed that long-term irradiation from both EMF sources altered significantly (p < 0.05) the expression of 143 proteins in total (as low as 0.003 fold downregulation up to 114 fold overexpression). Several neural function related proteins (i.e., Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Alpha-synuclein, Glia Maturation Factor beta (GMF), and apolipoprotein E (apoE)), heat shock proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins (i.e., Neurofilaments and tropomodulin) are included in this list as well as proteins of the brain metabolism (i.e., Aspartate aminotransferase, Glutamate dehydrogenase) to nearly all brain regions studied. Western blot analysis on selected proteins confirmed the proteomics data. The observed protein expression changes may be related to brain plasticity alterations, indicative of oxidative stress in the nervous system or involved in apoptosis and might potentially explain human health hazards reported so far, such as headaches, sleep disturbance, fatigue, memory deficits, and brain tumor long-term induction under similar exposure conditions.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In Balb/c mice exposed long-term to either a mobile phone (SAR 0.17–0.37 W/kg, 3 h/day for 8 months) or a wireless DECT base (SAR 0.012–0.028 W/kg, 8 h/day for 8 months), comparative proteomics found significant (p<0.05) altered expression of 143 proteins across cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe. Western blot analysis on selected proteins confirmed the proteomics findings.

Outcomes measured

• Proteome changes in cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe
• Differential expression of brain proteins (proteomics; western blot confirmation)

Limitations

• Small group sizes (6 animals/group)
• Frequencies and other exposure characteristics beyond SAR and duration not reported in abstract
• Proteomic changes reported; functional/behavioral or clinical outcomes not assessed in abstract
• Mechanistic interpretations (oxidative stress/apoptosis) are speculative in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• dect-cordless-phones (0.86)
  Includes exposure to a wireless DECT base station.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "mobile phone; wireless DECT base station",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "3 h daily for 8 months (mobile phone); 8 h/day for 8 months (DECT base)"
    },
    "population": "Balb/c mice",
    "sample_size": 18,
    "outcomes": [
        "Proteome changes in cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe",
        "Differential expression of brain proteins (proteomics; western blot confirmation)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In Balb/c mice exposed long-term to either a mobile phone (SAR 0.17–0.37 W/kg, 3 h/day for 8 months) or a wireless DECT base (SAR 0.012–0.028 W/kg, 8 h/day for 8 months), comparative proteomics found significant (p<0.05) altered expression of 143 proteins across cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe. Western blot analysis on selected proteins confirmed the proteomics findings.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Small group sizes (6 animals/group)",
        "Frequencies and other exposure characteristics beyond SAR and duration not reported in abstract",
        "Proteomic changes reported; functional/behavioral or clinical outcomes not assessed in abstract",
        "Mechanistic interpretations (oxidative stress/apoptosis) are speculative in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mouse",
        "Balb/c",
        "whole-body exposure",
        "mobile phone",
        "DECT",
        "SAR",
        "long-term exposure",
        "proteomics",
        "cerebellum",
        "hippocampus",
        "frontal lobe",
        "GFAP",
        "alpha-synuclein",
        "heat shock proteins",
        "oxidative stress",
        "apoptosis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "dect-cordless-phones",
            "weight": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "Includes exposure to a wireless DECT base station."
        }
    ]
}

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