Detrimental Effect of Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Field on Permeability of Blood-Brain Barrier

Abstract

Background: Exposure to different frequencies would have a profound effect on the brain tissue extract supernatant’s optical density and hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) build-up. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the blood-brain barrier permeability after electromagnetic field irradiation. Methods: In this study, 150 male albino rats were randomly divided into 25 groups. They had an intraperitoneal injection of Evans blue 24 hours before experiments. Before 15 or 30-min Electromagnetic Field (EMF) irradiation (900, 1700, and 1900 MHz), 500 μCi (18.5 MBq) of 99mTc -MIBI was injected via the caudal vein. The rats decapitated 15, 30, 45, or 60 min after radiotracer injection to evaluate the brain-specific activity and brain tissue extract supernatant’s optical density. Results: No significant difference was found between the groups in 60-min post-injection activity after 15-min EMF radiation at 900, 1700, and 1900 MHz. The brain-specific activity with 30-min EMF radiation showed a significant increase in the 900 MHz group compared to others. Brain/whole body-specific activity in all experimental groups after 15-min EMF radiation showed no significant differences. On the other hand, the brain/whole body-specific activity ratio with 30-min EMF radiation showed a significant increase in the 900 MHz group compared to other groups. A comparison between the brain tissue extract supernatant’s optical density in the experimental groups after 15 and 30-min EMF radiation showed no significant difference in Evans blue accumulations in brains. Conclusions: It may be concluded that mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation may increase the blood-brain barrier permeability. As most humans use mobile phones for daily communications, all users around the world need to be advised of the effects of modern call devices.