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.

Keywords:

• Mobile phone radiation
• prenatal exposure
• electromagnetic field
• liver toxicity

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted in the laboratories of R. T. Erdogan University Medical School.

Declaration of interest

No conflicts of interest have been disclosed by the authors. Part of this study was presented in the form of a poster in Experts of Clinical Biochemistry Association Lab Expo-2015. PS-042.