Effect of 6 GHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Cytokine Levels in Rats

Abstract

Yasin Karamazi, Toygar Emre, Mustafa Emre, Salih Cetiner, Gulsevinc Aksoy and Cagatay Aydın

Purpose: While technological devices are continuously developing at an incredible speed, the exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) created by these devices is gradually increasing. In this study investigated the effects of 6 GHz (0.083 W/kg SAR) RF-EMF on rat cytokine levels.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 Wistar Albino adult male rats ranging in weight between 250-300 g were used. Rats were divided into two groups as; Control and radiofrequency radiation (RFR) group. The control were not subjected to any treatment. RFR group rats were placed in a special treatment cage and exposed to 6 GHz RF-EMF for 4 hours/day for 6 weeks. After RF-EMF application, blood (2cc) were collected from all rats by cardiac puncture method. The plasmas of the collected blood were separated from the blood samples within the same day. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) levels were analyzed as spectrophotometrically by ELISA method.

Results: We found a statistically significant increase in plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-4 rats in the RFR group compared to the control (p<0.05). We also found an increase in the plasma level IFN-γ and IL-10, but they have no statistically significance (p>0.05).

Conclusion: 6 GHz RF-EMF exposure had significant effects on rat cytokine levels. It supported both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine release.

PDF