Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordination linked behaviour in male rats
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Date
2017-10-03
Authors
Obajuluwa, A.O.
Akinyemi, A.J.
Afolabi, O.B.
Adekoya, K.O.
Sanya, J.O.
Ishola, A.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Toxicology Reports Elsevier
Abstract
Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2 –4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage
Description
Keywords
Acetylcholinesterase , Radiofrequency , Electromagnetic waves , mRNA , Gene expression
Citation
Obajuluwa, A.O., Akinyemi, A.J., Afolabi, O.B., Adekoya, K.O., Sanya, J.O. and Ishola, A. O. (2017). Exposure to Radio-frequency Electromagnetic Waves Alters Acetylcholinesterase Gene Expression, Exploratory and Motor Co-ordination Linked Behaviour in Male Rats. Toxicology Reports 4: 530 -534.