The Scientific Research Projects Unit of the University of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and grant
number TSA-2023–1477.
The fact that the 5G wireless standard was introduced without a comprehensive review of its potential health effects has raised concerns among both scientists and the general public. The lack of a standardized methodology for assessing radiofrequency exposure from 5G mobile phone handsets and base stations exacerbates these concerns. Furthermore, 5G networks will require an exponentially higher number of base stations (10 to 100 times more), which underscores the need to investigate potential health risks associated with 5G mobile networks. Coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant, has been shown in the literature to play an active role in mitigating apoptosis, which is closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress, which results from oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, can lead to testicular dysfunction. During ER stress, the levels of the chaperone glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) increase. The aim of the present study was to biochemically and histopathologically investigate the effects of 5G mobile phone radiation on ER stress in testicular tissue and to analyze the potential protective role of Q10.
The study was conducted on 3- to 4-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. They were divided into three groups (n = 8): cage control, 5G exposure, and 5G exposure + 10 mg/kg Q10. The animals were exposed to 5.9 GHz for 2 hours per day at an electric field strength of 4 V/m (0.42 W/m²), resulting in a whole-body SAR of 0.0213 W/kg. The field strength was measured at different locations in the exposure cage. The experimental duration was 30 days. The researchers performed biochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers (TBARS, total thiol), immunohistochemical analysis of ER stress markers (GRP78, CHOP), and histopathological analysis of testicular tissue. The immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were evaluated semi-quantitatively. The degree of histopathological damage was determined using the Testicular Histopathologic Damage Scoring (THDS), which includes loss of spermatogenic cells, edema areas, inflammatory processes, and vascular occlusion. Semi-quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical samples was conducted double-blind, and an IHC score for immunopositive cells was determined.
The authors' results showed a very consistent pattern. All studied endpoints (see above) indicated adverse effects of 5.9 GHz exposure. Compared to controls, statistically significant harmful effects of 5G radiation were observed in oxidative stress markers, as well as in histopathological and immunohistochemical scores. Specifically, exposure resulted in histopathological damage (increased edema areas, vascular occlusions, and neutrophilic inflammation of seminiferous tubules), increased TBARS, decreased total thiol, and increased number of GRP78- and CHOP-positive cells. In the experimental group receiving the antioxidant Q10, the harmful effects of 5G mobile phone radiation were statistically significantly reduced compared to the group exposed to radiation only.
Male infertility, a global health issue, may be associated with homeostatic ROS imbalance in the reproductive system. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species can lead to ER stress, which in turn may cause oxidative stress. This condition can adversely affect sperm quality. The authors highlight the potential of powerful antioxidants such as Q10 to break the vicious cycle of ROS-ER stress induced by mobile phone radiation.
Editor's note:
This study adds to the growing number of studies linking non-thermal mobile phone radiation of various frequencies to reduced male fertility. This has been extensively discussed in several reviews (Yadav et al., 2021; Yu et al., 2021). Even proponents of the "purely thermal effects" hypothesis have had to acknowledge potential harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation on male fertility (Cordelli et al., 2024). Currently, the effects of 5G mobile communication are not sufficiently characterized. The present study contributes to filling this knowledge gap. (RH)
References:
Cordelli E, Ardoino L, Benassi B, Consales C, Eleuteri P, Marino C, Sciortino M, Villani P, H. Brinkworth M, Chen G, P. McNamee J, Wood AW, Belackova L, Verbeek J, Pacchierotti F (2024): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on male fertility: A systematic review of experimental studies on non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro. Environment International, 185, 108509. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVINT.2024.108509
Yadav H, Rai U, Singh R (2021): Radiofrequency radiation: A possible threat to male fertility. Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 100, 90-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.01.007
Yu G, Bai Z, Song C, Cheng Q, Wang G, Tang Z, Yang S (2021): Current progress on the effect of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of human and animal studies. Environmental Pollution, 282, 116952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116952