Effects of 3.5-GHz radiofrequency radiation on energy-regulatory hormone levels in the blood and adipose tissue

Abstract

Overview

In recent years, exposure of living beings to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from wireless equipment has increased.

This study investigates the effects of 3.5-GHz RFR on hormones that regulate energy metabolism in the body.

Methodology

• Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups: healthy sham (n = 7), healthy RFR (n = 7), diabetic sham (n = 7), and diabetic RFR (n = 7).
• Over a month, each group spent 2 hours per day in a Plexiglas carousel.
• The rats in the experimental group were exposed to RFR, with the sham groups not exposed.
• At the end of the experiment, blood and adipose tissues were collected from euthanized rats for analysis.
• Total antioxidant, total oxidant, hydrogen peroxide, ghrelin, nesfatin-1, and irisin were determined.
• Insulin expression in pancreatic tissues was examined with immunohistochemical analysis.
• The whole body specific absorption rate was 37 mW/kg.

Findings

• The blood and adipose nesfatin-1 levels (p = 0.002), blood and pancreatic insulin levels (p = 0.001) were decreased.
• Ghrelin (p = 0.020), irisin (p = 0.020), and blood glucose (p = 0.040) were increased in both healthy and diabetic rats exposed to RFR.
• Nesfatin-1 was negatively correlated with oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and insulin, while ghrelin and irisin were positively correlated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemia.

Conclusion

3.5 GHz RFR exposure may induce alterations in hormones regulating energy metabolism, and can lead to changes in antioxidant and oxidant levels. These effects are particularly significant in the context of diabetes, underlining a potentially deleterious effect on energy metabolism from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.