Pre and postnatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields induce inflammation and oxidative stress, and alter renin-angiotensin system components differently in male and female offsprings

Aims: This study was designed to investigate inflammation, oxidative stress and renin-angiotensin system components in brain and kidney tissues of female and male rats prenatally and/or postnatally exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF). It is aimed to evaluate the biological effects of 900 MHz EMF exposure due to the increase in mobile phone use and especially the more widespread use of the GSM 900 system. Main methods: Male and female Wistar albino offsprings were divided into four groups of control, prenatal, postnatal, and prenatal+postnatal exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 1 h/day (23 days during pregnancy for prenatal period, 40 days for postnatal period). The brain and kidney tissues were collected when they reached puberty. Key findings: It was found that the total oxidant status, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-& alpha; levels increased (p < 0.001) and the total antioxidant status levels decreased (p < 0.001) in all three EMF groups comparing to controls in both male and female brain and kidney tissues. The renin- angiotensin system components such as angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors, and MAS1-like G protein-coupled receptor expression were higher (p < 0.001) in all three EMF exposure groups comparing to controls in both male and female brain and kidney tissues. Although there are some differences of the levels of proinflammatory markers, ROS components and RAS components in brain and kidney tissues between males and females, the common result of all groups was increase in oxidative stress, inflammation markers and angiotensin system components with exposure to 900 MHz EMF. Significance: In conclusion, our study suggested that the 900 MHz EMF can activate brain and kidney reninangiotensin system, and this activation is maybe related to inflammation and oxidative stress in both male and female offsprings.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on inflammation, oxidative stress, and renin-angiotensin system components in the brain and kidney tissues of male and female rats. The study found that exposure to 900 MHz EMF led to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as higher expression of renin-angiotensin system components in both male and female brain and kidney tissues. These findings suggest that the activation of the renin-angiotensin system may be related to the inflammation and oxidative stress observed in the offspring.