Effect of exposure to electromagnetic field on some aspects of hepatic function in rats

ABSTRACT

Exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMF] may pose health risks and cell damage in various tissues, among the most susceptible tissues to EMF exposure being the liver. It was, thus, intriguing to investigate the possible effect of whole body exposure to EMF of mobile phones on some parameters reflecting the liver function. This study was performed on 111 albino rats of both sexes. Rats were divided into 2 main groups 4 weeks exposure group [group I] and 8 weeks exposure group [group II]. Rats in each group were further subdivided into 4 subgroups, namely; rats not exposed to EMF of mobile phone [control groups, Ic and IIc], rats exposed to EMF of mobile phone for 1 hour/day [groups I[1] and II[1]], for 2 hours/day [groups I[2] and II[2]] and for 3 hours/day [groups I[3] and II[3]]. Exposure to EMF did not result in any significant change in plasma activities of both alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] in all exposed rats compared with their matched control. However, there was significant prolongation of both prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [PTT] accompained by significant elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde [MDA] content and reduction of nitric oxide [NO] content in hepatic tissue, the changes being more marked with increase in the duration of exposure. Microscopic examination of the liver tissue showed hepatocytic vacuolizations, irregular diameters of sinusoidal lumens, inflammatory cellular infiltrations and reduced glycogen content, the changes becoming intense with prolongation of the EMF exposure period. Exposure to EMF of mobile phones poses a risk factor for liver dysfunction, and, therefore, long term or excessive use of mobile phones better be avoided