Effect of high-frequency radiofrequency (6 GHz) electromagnetic radiation on oxidative stress and kidney morphology

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-frequency (6 GHz) radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure on oxidative stress markers and kidney morphology. Our study was designed with 3 groups, each containing 10 animals. These groups were: control, sham, and RF-EMR exposed group. No treatment was applied to the control group; the sham group was housed in the same room under the same conditions and for equal periods of time, except that the generator was turned off. The RF-EMR exposed group was exposed to 6 GHz RF-EMR emitted from the signal generator for 4 hours per day for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, intracardiac blood was collected from animals and plasma oxidant (MDA), antioxidant (SOD, CAT and GSH) and cortisol markers were analyzed. After, the rats in all groups were sacrificed and kidney tissues were removed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining methods were applied histopathologically. Blood-plasma GSH, CAT, SOD and MDA levels (excluding cortisol) were lower in the RF-EMR exposed group compared to the control and sham groups (p < .001). No significant difference was observed in plasma levels GSH, CAT, SOD, MDA and cortisol activities between control and sham groups. In addition, we reported that the histological characteristics of kidney tissue were affected by RF-EMR. The results of our study indicated that 6 GHz RF-EMR can function as an environmental stress factor and can modulate oxidative stress in blood plasma and cause morphological changes in kidney tissue.