In situ expression of heat-shock proteins and 3-nitrotyrosine in brains of young rats exposed to a WiFi signal in utero and in early life

Radiat Res. 2013 Jun;179(6):707-16. doi: 10.1667/RR2995.1. Epub 2013 May 10.

Abstract

The bioeffects of exposure to Wireless High-Fidelity (WiFi) signals on the developing nervous systems of young rodents was investigated by assessing the in vivo and in situ expression levels of three stress markers: 3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT), an oxidative stress marker and two heat-shock proteins (Hsp25 and Hsp70). These biomarkers were measured in the brains of young rats exposed to a 2450 MHz WiFi signal by immunohistochemistry. Pregnant rats were first exposed or sham exposed to WiFi from day 6 to day 21 of gestation. In addition three newborns per litter were further exposed up to 5 weeks old. Daily 2-h exposures were performed blind in a reverberation chamber and whole-body specific absorption rate levels were 0, 0.08, 0.4 and 4 W/kg. 3-NT and stress protein expression was assayed in different areas of the hippocampus and cortex. No significant difference was observed among exposed and sham-exposed groups. These results suggest that repeated exposure to WiFi during gestation and early life has no deleterious effects on the brains of young rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / radiation effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / radiation effects*
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • Wireless Technology*

Substances

  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • 3-nitrotyrosine
  • Tyrosine