Exposure to 2.45 GHz Radiation Triggers Changes in HSP-70, Glucocorticoid Receptors and GFAP Biomarkers in Rat Brain

Abstract

Brain tissue may be especially sensitive to electromagnetic phenomena provoking signs of neural stress in cerebral activity. Fifty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ELISA and immunohistochemistry testing of four relevant anatomical areas of the cerebrum to measure biomarkers indicating induction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after single or repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz radiation in the experimental set-up. Neither radiation regime caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. A progressive decrease in GCR and HSP-70 was observed after acute or repeated irradiation in the somatosensory cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus. In the limbic cortex; however, values for both biomarkers were significantly higher after repeated exposure to irradiation when compared to control animals. GFAP values in brain tissue after irradiation were not significantly different or were even lower than those of nonirradiated animals in all brain regions studied. Our results suggest that repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz elicited GCR/HSP-70 dysregulation in the brain, triggering a state of stress that could decrease tissue anti-inflammatory action without favoring glial proliferation and make the nervous system more vulnerable.

Radiofrequency radiation reshapes tumor immune microenvironment into antitumor phenotype in pulmonary metastatic melanoma by inducing active transformation of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T and NK cells

“…For example, HSP70 and HSP90 have been demonstrated to stimulate antitumor immune response by activating NK cells and antigen cross-presentation to T cells [ 45 , 46 ]. On the other hand, exposure to RFR has been shown to increase the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in rat brain and thyroid [ 47 , 48 ]. Second, RFR exposure has been reported to induce genetic effects, including changes in DNA integrity, chromatin conformation, and DNA replication and repair pathways [ 49 , 50 ].…”

The Effect of 2.45 GHz Electromagnetic Fields on Fear Memory Extinction in Male Rats

“…Particularly, the widespread usage of 2.45 GHz radiation is on the rise, raising concerns about potential health risks, especially to the neurological system. 30 In the present study, we used the fear conditioning test to assess the effects of EMF exposure on fear learning and memory. CFC may be a fundamental key learning experiment.…”