Role of Mitochondria in the Oxidative Stress Induced by Electromagnetic Fields: Focus on Reproductive Systems

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018; 2018: 5076271.

Silvano Junior Santini, 1 Valeria Cordone, 1 Stefano Falone, 1 Mahmut Mijit, 1 Carla Tatone, 1 , 2Fernanda Amicarelli, 1 , 3 and Giovanna Di Emidio 1 , 2

Although we reported contradictory data due to lack of uniformity in the experimental designs, a growing body of evidence suggests that EMF exposure during spermatogenesis induces increased ROS production associated with decreased ROS scavenging activity. Numerous studies revealed the detrimental effects of EMFs from mobile phones, laptops, and other electric devices on sperm quality and provide evidence for extensive electron leakage from the mitochondrial electron transport chain as the main cause of EMF damage. In female reproductive systems, the contribution of oxidative stress to EMF-induced damages and the evidence of mitochondrial origin of ROS overproduction are reported, as well. In conclusion, mitochondria seem to play an important role as source of ROS in both male and female reproductive systems under EMF exposure. Future and more standardized studies are required for a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying EMF potential challenge to our reproductive system in order to improve preventive strategies.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250044/

Long-term exposure of 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation induces stress and anxiety like behavior in rats

2.45 GHZ (or 2450 MHz) is the frequency being used in the US, Canada, UK, and elsewhere to power cell phones, cordless phones, baby monitors, wifi routers, and smart meters. 


Long-term exposure of 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation induces stress and anxiety like behavior in rats

Gupta SK, et al., Neurochemistry International, Apr 4, 2019

Abstract

Long term exposure of electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from cell phones and Wi-Fi hold greater propensity to cause anxiety disorders. However, the studies investigating the effects of chronic exposure of EMR are limited. Therefore, we investigated the effects of repeated exposure of discrete frequency of EMR in experimental animals. Male rats were exposed to EMR (900, 1800 and 2450 MHz) for 28 (1 h/day) days. Long term exposure of EMR (2450 MHz) induced anxiety like behavior. It deregulated the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in rats as observed by increase in plasma corticosterone levels apart from decreased corticotrophin releasing hormone-2 (CRH-2) and Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in amygdala. Further, it impaired mitochondrial function and integrity. The expression of Bcl2 showed significant decrease while Bax and ratio of Bax: Bcl2 were increased in the mitochondria and vice versa in cytoplasm indicating altered regulation of apoptosis. EMR exposure caused release of cytochrome-c and expression of caspase-9 ensuing activation of apoptotic cell death. Additional set of experiments performed to estimate the pattern of cell death showed necrotic and apoptotic amygdalar cell death after EMR exposure. Histopathological studies also revealed a significant decrease in neuronal cells in amygdala. The above findings indicate that long-term exposure of EMR radiation (2450 MHz) acts as a stressor and induces anxiety-like behaviors with concomitant pathophysiological changes in EMR subjected rats.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30954502

 

Source