Lasting hepatotoxic effects of prenatal mobile phone exposure.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the livers of rats born to mothers exposed to electromagnetic field (EMF) were examined 60 days postpartum for biochemical and histopathological changes. METHODS: Pregnant rats were exposed to radiation (900 MHz EMF, 24 h/day for 20 days) using a digital signal generator by placing the device centrally under the cage, which formed the study (EMF) group, while untreated matching rats served as controls. Livers and blood were obtained from litters (seven males and seven females) of both groups 60 days after birth, which were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05) that was accompanied by a significant fall in glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.01) in the liver. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, the liver sections of the EMF group showed intense degeneration in hepatocytes with cytoplasmic eosinophilic structures, pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the intrauterin harmful effects of EMF on the livers of rats persist into adulthood.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Offspring of EMF-exposed pregnant rats had increased liver MDA and decreased liver GSH, with increased serum ALT and AST at 60 days postpartum. Histopathology in the EMF group showed hepatocyte degeneration with pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis.

Outcomes measured

• Liver malondialdehyde (MDA)
• Liver glutathione (GSH)
• Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Liver histopathology (hepatocyte degeneration, fibrosis)

Limitations

• No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
• Small sample size (seven males and seven females per group)
• Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain
• Exposure described as 24 h/day, which may not reflect typical real-world mobile phone exposure

Suggested hubs

• rf-mobile-phones (0.9)
  Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz EMF described as mobile phone-related radiation.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "24 h/day for 20 days (prenatal exposure); outcomes assessed 60 days postpartum"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant rats and their offspring (livers of offspring examined 60 days postpartum)",
    "sample_size": 28,
    "outcomes": [
        "Liver malondialdehyde (MDA)",
        "Liver glutathione (GSH)",
        "Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)",
        "Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)",
        "Liver histopathology (hepatocyte degeneration, fibrosis)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Offspring of EMF-exposed pregnant rats had increased liver MDA and decreased liver GSH, with increased serum ALT and AST at 60 days postpartum. Histopathology in the EMF group showed hepatocyte degeneration with pyknotic nuclei and fibrosis.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
        "Small sample size (seven males and seven females per group)",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain",
        "Exposure described as 24 h/day, which may not reflect typical real-world mobile phone exposure"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "prenatal exposure",
        "900 MHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "rat",
        "liver",
        "hepatotoxicity",
        "oxidative stress",
        "MDA",
        "GSH",
        "ALT",
        "AST",
        "fibrosis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz EMF described as mobile phone-related radiation."
        }
    ]
}

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