Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain: An analysis of thyroid function, reactive oxygen species, and monocarboxylate transporter 8

Hendra Zufry; Achmad Rudijanto; Djoko Wahono Soeatmadji; Setyawan Purnomo Sakti; Khairul Munadi; Hidayat Sujuti; Karyono Mintaroem

doi:10.4103/japtr.japtr_680_22

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain: An analysis of thyroid function, reactive oxygen species, and monocarboxylate transporter 8

J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2023 Apr-Jun;14(2):63-68. doi: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_680_22. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Authors

Hendra Zufry^{1

2}, Achmad Rudijanto³, Djoko Wahono Soeatmadji⁴, Setyawan Purnomo Sakti⁵, Khairul Munadi⁶, Hidayat Sujuti⁷, Karyono Mintaroem⁸

Affiliations

¹ Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
² Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Thyroid Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Teaching Hospital, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
⁴ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
⁵ Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
⁶ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
⁸ Department of Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation (MP-EMR) on the thyroid glands and hormones in Rattus norvegicus brain in term of thyroid function, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) concentration. Forty rats were divided into different groups: control (without EMR exposure), EMR1 (120-min/day exposure), EMR2 (150-min), and EMR3 (180-min). The levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T₄), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and brain and MCT8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-way analysis of variance followed by the Duncan test was used to analyze the data. Our data indicated that the levels of serum TSH and T₄ in all the EMR groups were lower significant postexposure compared to the control with P < 0.01 (EMR1 and EMR2) and P < 0.001 (EMR3), suggesting hypothyroidism due to MP-EMR exposure. Increased MDA and decreased MCT8 levels were also observed following the intervention; however, the changes in both concentrations were notably significant after being subjected to 150-min and 180-min of exposure. In conclusion, a significant reduction in TSH, T₄, and MCT8 levels indicated thyroid dysfunction due to MP-EMR exposure.

Keywords: Electromagnetic radiation; mobile phone; mobile phone electromagnetic radiation; monocarboxylate transporter 8; reactive oxygen species; thyroid.