Abstract
IntroductionThe use of mobile phones has become widespread in recent years. Although beneficial from the communication viewpoint, the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones may cause unwanted biological changes in the human body. ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2100MHz Global System for Mobile communication (GSM-like) electromagnetic field, generated by an electromagnetic fields generator, on the auditory system of rats by using electrophysiological, histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. MethodsFourteen adult Wistar albino rats were included in the study. The rats were divided randomly into two groups of seven rats each. The study group was exposed continuously for 30days to a 2100MHz electromagnetic fields with a signal level (power) of 5.4dBm (3.47mW) to simulate the talk mode on a mobile phone. The control group was not exposed to the aforementioned electromagnetic fields. After 30days, the Auditory Brainstem Responses of both groups were recorded and the rats were sacrificed. The cochlear nuclei were evaluated by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. ResultsThe Auditory Brainstem Responses records of the two groups did not differ significantly. The histopathologic analysis showed increased degeneration signs in the study group (p=0.007). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased apoptotic index in the study group compared to that in the control group (p=0.002). ConclusionThe results support that long-term exposure to a GSM-like 2100MHz electromagnetic fields causes an increase in neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the auditory system.
Highlights
The use of mobile phones has become widespread in recent years
We aim to evaluate the effects of 2100 MHz Global System for Mobile communication (GSM)-like electromagnetic fields (EMF), generated by an EMF generator, on the auditory system of rats by using electrophysiological, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical methods
The results obtained in this study show that in rats, chronic exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like EMF leads to cellular degeneration in the cochlear nuclei with increased apoptosis and statistically insignificant prolongation of Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) wave latencies
Summary
The use of mobile phones has become widespread in recent years. beneficial from the communication viewpoint, the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones may cause unwanted biological changes in the human body. Devices operating in this frequency range produce an effect area called Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF).[3] Mobile phones operate in the 800---3500 MHz frequency range, and third-generation (3G) mobile phones primarily use the 2100 MHz frequency.[4] The EMF generated by these devices and base stations that connect them has emerged as a growing public health issue.[1] In a consensus statement published by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group in 2011, RF-EMF was accepted as a possible carcinogen for humans after evaluating human and experimental studies on the impact of RF-EMF.[3] Two large multicenter case-control studies investigated the relationship between brain tumors and mobile phone use One of these studies found a significant association between mobile phone use and the occurrence of malignant brain tumor.[5] In contrast, the other study showed that 10 years of mobile phone use did not increase the risk of acoustic neuroma significantly, but it was emphasized that the followup period was insufficient for acoustic neuroma, a slowly growing tumor.[6]
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