Investigation of the effect of electromagnetic waves of ۲.۴۵ GHz on Anxiety in male rats

Background and Aim: Mobile communication is based on utilization of electromagnetic fields (EMFS) in the frequency range of ۰.۳-۳۰۰ GHz. Human and animal studies suggest that EMFS, which are in the ۰.۱ MHz-۳۰۰ GHz range, might interfere with cognitive processes. There is a growing concern that the Microwave range of environmental Electromagnetic wave may have adverse biological effects. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rat (۱۸۰-۲۰۰g) were randomly grouped into short term expose, short term sham, long term expose and long-term sham. The short term and the long-term expose groups respectively ۱ h daily for ۱ week & ۱ h daily for ۱ month were subjected in turn on EMF. The short-term and the long-term sham groups were tested exactly like their respective expose groups, the difference between them was turned off EMF. All group were tested in an Elevated Plus Maze system, then via the heart puncture scheme, the blood sample were collected. The serum corticosterone level was evaluated using ELISA method. Results This study investigated the possible effects of ۲.۴۵ GHz pulsed EMF (Power density=۶mW/cm۲, PRF= ۵۰۰ Hz, Pulse width= ۲ μs) on the anxiety and the corticosterone level in rats. Conclusion: The performance of exposed rats was comparable to that found in sham. The T-test revealed significant different between exposure groups together and each expose group with its sham groups, but no significant difference between sham groups together. Previous studies have found contrasting results of EMF on laboratory rodent anxiety-like behavior and cognition. Our results show that the short-term expose with ۲.۴۵ GHz radiation increase anxiety behavior in rats, also it increases the corticosterone level as a stress marker.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electromagnetic field (EMF) ، Microwave ، Anxiety ، Elevated Plus Maze ، Corticosterone