Does Radiofrequency Radiation From Mobile Phones Affect the Formation of Parotid Gland

Abstract

Does Radiofrequency Radiation From Mobile Phones Affect the Formation of Parotid Gland Malignancy? An Experimental Study Ozergin Coskun Z, Tumkaya L, Yilmaz A, Dursun E, Mercantepe T, Kalkan Y, Ersoz S. Does Radiofrequency Radiation From Mobile Phones Affect the Formation of Parotid Gland Malignancy? An Experimental Study. Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Sep 27:1455613241287295. doi: 10.1177/01455613241287295. Abstract Objectives: The use of mobile phone is increasing around the world. Although it is beneficial in terms of communication, the electromagnetic radiations emitted by mobile phones may cause undesirable biological effects on the human body. In practical use, the tissue with which mobile phones come into most and are closest is the parotid gland. This study investigated the effects of the 1800 MHz electromagnetic field created by a generator on the parotid gland in rats. Methods: A total of 21 Sprague-Dawley Albino rats were included in the study. The rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. To simulate a mobile phone in conversation mode, the first study group was exposed to an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field for 6 hours a day for 30 days, and the second study group was exposed to an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field for 12 hours a day for 30 days. After 30 days, rats were sacrificed, and histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the effects on the parotid gland. The total antioxidant level and the total oxidant level were measured biochemically in homogenized parotid tissue. Results: Histopathological results showed an increase in degeneration in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields for 6 and 12 hours a day, and immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in the apoptotic index in both study groups (P = .001, P < .001). Intranuclear inclusions was observed during histopathological examination performed by electron microscopy. Conclusions: This study observed that the 1800 MHz electromagnetic field caused undesirable adverse histopathological and biochemical effects on the parotid gland of rats. Histopathological and biochemical findings were detected with increasing contact and exposure time. This study will lead to other studies on this topic and contribute to the literature by completing other studies. Excerpts This study used a generator (Anritsu MG3670 B type, Japan) that produces microwave radiation at 1800 MHz radiofrequency to create exposure in mobile communion. The generator peak power was fixed at 2 W during exposure. In the digital signal generator used in this study, the carrier frequency was 1800 MHz, the modulation frequency was 217 Hz, there was a pulse of 577 μseconds, and the maximum peak power was 2 W. The average specific absorption rate (SAR) of the whole body was 0.117 W/kg. The study was carried out on a total of 21 rats divided in 3 groups (n = 7). Groups 1, 2, and 3 were exposed to microwave radiation for 0 (control group), 6, and 12 hours, respectively. A generator with an external antenna was placed in the lower middle part of the cages.5 The rats in the study group were exposed to microwave radiation for the specified hours in the mobile phone conversation mode.... The parotid tissue has been reported to absorb 40% of the electromagnetic energy emitted by mobile phones on phones held in place. This absorbed energy can cause thermal and nonthermal effects in the parotid tissue.14 .... Conclusion In light of our knowledge of the literature, this is the first study to investigate the effects of an 1800- MHz electromagnetic field on the parotid gland of rats with biochemical tests, immunohistochemically in light microscopy and histopathologically in electron microscopy. This study observed that an 1800- MHz electromagnetic field causes undesirable adverse histopathological and biochemical effects on the parotid gland of rats. Histopathological and biochemical findings were detected with increasing contact and exposure time. This study will lead other studies on this topic and contribute to the literature in this area. Open access paper: journals.sagepub.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In rats exposed to 1800 MHz RF for 6 or 12 hours/day for 30 days, histopathology reportedly showed increased degeneration and immunohistochemistry showed increased apoptotic index in both exposure groups. Electron microscopy noted intranuclear inclusions. The authors conclude there were adverse histopathological and biochemical effects that increased with longer exposure time.

Outcomes measured

• Parotid gland histopathology (degeneration)
• Apoptotic index (immunohistochemistry)
• Electron microscopy findings (intranuclear inclusions)
• Total antioxidant level (parotid tissue)
• Total oxidant level (parotid tissue)

Limitations

• Animal study; findings may not translate to humans
• Small sample size (n=7 per group)
• Exposure generated by a laboratory RF generator rather than real-world phone use conditions

Suggested hubs

• cell-phones (0.9)
  Study simulates mobile phone conversation-mode RF exposure at 1800 MHz.

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    "publication_year": 2024,
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone (simulated conversation mode via generator)",
        "frequency_mhz": 1800,
        "sar_wkg": 0.11700000000000000677236045021345489658415317535400390625,
        "duration": "6 or 12 hours/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Sprague-Dawley Albino rats",
    "sample_size": 21,
    "outcomes": [
        "Parotid gland histopathology (degeneration)",
        "Apoptotic index (immunohistochemistry)",
        "Electron microscopy findings (intranuclear inclusions)",
        "Total antioxidant level (parotid tissue)",
        "Total oxidant level (parotid tissue)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats exposed to 1800 MHz RF for 6 or 12 hours/day for 30 days, histopathology reportedly showed increased degeneration and immunohistochemistry showed increased apoptotic index in both exposure groups. Electron microscopy noted intranuclear inclusions. The authors conclude there were adverse histopathological and biochemical effects that increased with longer exposure time.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study; findings may not translate to humans",
        "Small sample size (n=7 per group)",
        "Exposure generated by a laboratory RF generator rather than real-world phone use conditions"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "stance": "concern",
    "stance_confidence": 0.8000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
    "summary": "This experimental rat study exposed animals to 1800 MHz RF (simulating mobile phone conversation mode) for 6 or 12 hours/day over 30 days. The authors report increased parotid gland degeneration and higher apoptotic index in exposed groups, with intranuclear inclusions observed on electron microscopy. They conclude that RF exposure produced adverse histopathological and biochemical effects that increased with longer exposure duration.",
    "key_points": [
        "Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into control, 6 h/day, and 12 h/day exposure groups for 30 days.",
        "Exposure was 1800 MHz RF with reported whole-body average SAR of 0.117 W/kg and peak power fixed at 2 W.",
        "Histopathology reportedly showed increased degeneration in both exposed groups compared with controls.",
        "Immunohistochemistry reportedly showed an increased apoptotic index in both exposed groups (P values reported in the abstract).",
        "Electron microscopy reportedly observed intranuclear inclusions in exposed animals.",
        "The authors state effects increased with longer daily exposure time."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "Animal Studies",
        "Mobile Phones",
        "RF Exposure",
        "Mechanisms (Oxidative Stress/Apoptosis)"
    ],
    "tags": [
        "Parotid Gland",
        "Rats",
        "1800 MHz",
        "Radiofrequency Radiation",
        "Mobile Phone Simulation",
        "Specific Absorption Rate",
        "Histopathology",
        "Apoptosis",
        "Oxidative Stress",
        "Electron Microscopy"
    ],
    "keywords": [
        "parotid gland",
        "rat",
        "1800 MHz",
        "radiofrequency",
        "mobile phone",
        "SAR",
        "degeneration",
        "apoptotic index",
        "total antioxidant level",
        "total oxidant level"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "cell-phones",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study simulates mobile phone conversation-mode RF exposure at 1800 MHz."
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    ],
    "social": {
        "tweet": "Rat study: 1800 MHz RF exposure (simulated mobile phone conversation mode) for 6–12 h/day over 30 days was reported to increase parotid gland degeneration and apoptotic index, with effects increasing with exposure time. (Ear Nose Throat J, 2024)",
        "facebook": "An experimental study in rats exposed to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields (simulating mobile phone conversation mode) for 30 days reported increased parotid gland degeneration and higher apoptotic index in exposed groups, with stronger findings at longer daily exposure times.",
        "linkedin": "Ear Nose Throat Journal (2024) reports an experimental rat study where 1800 MHz RF exposure (simulated mobile phone conversation mode) for 6–12 hours/day over 30 days was associated with increased parotid gland degeneration and apoptotic markers, with findings increasing with exposure duration."
    }
}

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