Does Continuous Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Harms Liver Tissue? A Microscopic Assay

Abstract

Background: Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are commonly present in daily life all over the world. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the different exposure intensity of the low frequency electromagnetic fields on the liver tissue. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomly allocated in one of the experimental groups including; group A, exposure to 0.5 millitesla (mT) for 2-week (n = 5); group B, exposure to 0.5 mT for 4-week (n = 5); group C, control without radiation (n = 5); group D, exposure to 1 mT for 2-week (n = 5); group E, exposure to 1 mT for 4-week (n = 5); and group F, sham group (n = 5). At the end of the experiment, their liver tissue was dissected and clinically assessed by a pathologist. Results: Our results show that for 1 month of exposure at 1 mT, focal hepatocitolysis and mild to moderate portal inflammation is visible and for 2 weeks exposure at this flux density, apoptosis and hepatocyte inflammation has occurred. However, for the groups exposed to 0.5 mT, 1 month exposure has caused hepatocyte focal inflammation, parenchymal hepatocitolysis, and focal apoptosis while, the exposure for 2 weeks did not affect the liver tissue. Conclusion: Exposure to ELF-EMF at the occupational limit cannot lead to irreversible changes and its effects on cells are enough below moderate changes. At the flux density of 1 mT, effects are moderate and irreversible and they are spread in larger areas than the lower flux density of 0.5 mT. Exposure time correlates with the level of stress on the cells; therefore, for a halftime exposure at occupational level, there exist no changes relative to the control group while for the fulltime exposure, some adverse effects were visible.

Biochemical and Pathological Effects on the Male Rat Hepatic Tissue After Exposure to 900mhz Electromagnetic Field During Adolescent Period

“…In another study, Holovska et al [15] applied 2.45 GHz EMF and reported moderate hyperemia, dilatation of hepatic sinusoids and small inflammatory foci in hepatic lobules, together with changes in hepatocyte structure. Additional studies reported localized inflammatory cell infiltration and consequent apoptosis in the liver even at EMF frequency as low as EMF 50 MHz [16] and regional hepatocyte fragmentation and moderate portal inflammation with 1 mT EMF [17]. In our study, examination of EMF-G tissues under the light microscope exhibited vasculer congestion and sinosoidal expansion.…”

“…Previous studies have reported that EMF causes deleterious effects in the liver tissue [14,15,17,20]. Histopathological examinations have reported that exposure to 900 MHz can lead to inflammatory changes in the liver and damage to the Langerhans islets in particular [14].…”

“…Other studies have investigated the effects of EMF applied at varying doses in terms of histopathological analysis. Light microscopy studies have reported inflammatory changes in hepatic tissue [14], hyperemia, and dilatation in hepatic sinusoids and small inflammatory foci in lobule centers [15][16][17]. Holoslovska et al employed electron microscopy and reported varying shapes and sizes of hepatocyte vesicles, lipid droplets and smooth endoplasmic reticulum proliferation, and that some hepatocytes were necrotic [15].…”